Second annual ham bingo event set for March 20

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Education Foundation is gearing up for their second annual Ham Bingo event which will take place on Thursday, March 20. This fundraising event will be held at the NY Mills School Commons with a meal sponsored by the NYM Bandstand from 5-6 p.m. and bingo starting at 6 p.m.

The NY Mills Education Foundation was established in 2017 to “partner with our community to provide all New York Mills students with enriched, innovative learning experiences, guiding them to extraordinary opportunities,” according to their mission statement.

“Proceeds from our bingo fundraiser will go towards our mission to partner with our community to provide all New York Mills students with enriched, innovative learning experiences, guiding them to extraordinary opportunities,” said Julie Lake, board chair. “Some of our grants for the 2024-25 school year include the purchase of books for multiple classrooms, STEM items, purchase of curriculum, baking equipment for new classes, inside recess materials, SOAR Program materials, playground communication sign, cabinets and shelving all totaling in the amount of $4,940.”

“We also supported the Storybook theater play that was recently put on at the school,” she continued, “and we sponsored speaker Cory Greenwood in October 2024 who spoke with students K-6 about The ACTive KINDness program and students 7-12 about The Your Story Matters program. We were able to do this thanks to the generous support of our local community members and businesses!”

A total of ten bingo games will be played with a price of $10 for the whole session. Daubers are $1 each and winners will split the pot to bring home their very own ham. All ages are welcome to take part in the event. Make sure to stop by between 5-6 p.m. to have a free-will donation meal sponsored by the NYM Bandwagon which includes a sandwich, chips, cookie, and water.

“The NYM Bandwagon will be hosting a ham sandwich meal prior to bingo,” said Lake. “They are doing a free will/suggested $5 per plate donation, proceeds will go towards fundraising for their band trip. This is the second event we have partnered with the Bandwagon. They did a turkey sandwich meal prior to our turkey bingo in the Fall. We loved the idea of being able to offer a meal option prior to the event that would help to support a group within the school as well!”

Alongside the delicious meal and the chance to win a ham at bingo, this event also gives people the opportunity to engage with the community and see family and friends, all while supporting a good cause.

“It is always fun to see the community come out to play bingo and support our mission,” said Lake. “We have a variety of ages that come to the event and everyone has a great time! We are hoping for a fun evening of community support, just being able to get together with many members of our community who support us throughout the year is rewarding and we get to have a fun evening and play bingo while fundraising to support our mission!”