By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

The New York Mills Education Foundation is gearing up for their annual Turkey Bingo event again which is set for Tuesday, Oct. 28 with a meal at 5 p.m. sponsored by the NY Mills Bandwagon and Bingo starting at 6 p.m.

The meal will kick off the night at 5 p.m. and will be served by the NY Mills Bandwagon, who will also be entertaining guests with music for everyone. The meal is free-will donation with a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds of the meal go directly back to the NYM Bandwagon.

At 6 p.m. members of the NYM Education Foundation will start up Turkey Bingo where all winners are eligible to take home a turkey and second-place winners will be able to take home a pound of butter at the end of the evening.

“We are very thankful for our partnership with Mills Market in helping us with the ordering, purchasing, and delivering of the turkeys and butter each fall and our hams in the spring for our Spring Bingo,” said Julie Lake, chair of the Education Foundation. “Proceeds help us to provide grants to the school that support our mission of providing enriched and innovative learning experiences for NYM students.”

Last fall, the Education Foundation approved 12 grant requests in the NY Mills School District totaling $4,940 to help purchase books, curriculum, baking equipment, indoor recess materials, SOAR Program materials, a communication sign for the playground and additional storage. Funds also help bring inspirational and educational opportunities such as motivational speakers and other programs to NY Mills students each year.

Among the lasting contributions from the annual Bingo event, which began in 2019, the evening of friendly competition brings in a large crowd each fall season and is well-received by all. Bingo will consist of 10 games at a cost of $10 for the whole night. Daubers are $1 and players are encouraged to bring their own as well. Winners will receive a certificate which can be cashed in at the end of the evening for their prizes.

“In the event there is a tie, we will play rock, paper, scissors,” said Lake. “We will also be doing Split the Pot! Players can purchase tickets into the drawing for a chance to split the total dollar amount raised for Split the Pot. We will also have NYM Eagle Pride yard signs and decals for sale as well.”

Lake is looking forward to seeing the community come together for a fun night while raising funds for the Education Foundation’s mission. She always enjoys being able to unite with members of the community in support of the Foundation throughout the year.

“I love seeing the community show up to help support our mission,” she said. “I also like to see an intense game of rock, paper, scissors when there is a tie or when the smallest child wins a turkey that is almost the size of them!”