Close Up to host Toy bingo fundraiser during Christmas Tree Festival in NYM
News | Published on November 25, 2025 at 3:39pm GMT+0000 | Author: Tucker Henderson
0Proceeds to benefit Close Up students going to Washington, DC
By Tucker Henderson
Reporter
As the Christmas Tree Festival gears up for another spectacular year of trees, lights, goodies, games and activities, one new addition to this year’s event will be the Toy Bingo hosted by the New York Mills Close Up group. The bingo event will be a fundraiser for their trip to Washington D.C. in April 2026.
With a variety of toys to choose from and Bingo open for all ages, there is a chance for everyone to win a prize. Bingo games will be available at 10 games for $10, daubers for sale, and family bingo packages available for 50 games and five daubers for $40.
Prizes will include toys and gift cards. Door prizes, raffle tickets, and split-the-pot will be available during the festivities as well. The event will be held on Monday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
“A colleague gave me the idea for toy bingo,” said Close Up advisor Angie Paavola. “They did it at her school when she was in Kindergarten and it was a big deal.”
Freddy’s Lefse samples will also be available for all to try and Close Up students will be taking orders for anyone who wants some lefse for Christmas.
“We’ll have samples that night and then we’ll take orders,” said Paavola. “Then you can order from one of us through the 14th, then we go pick them up and we’ll deliver them before Christmas.”
Paavola said several Close Up students will also have a booth at Mark’s Home and More in Perham from 4-6 p.m. on December 4 and December 11 to offer samples and take orders for lefse.
NY Mills has had a Close Up group since 1988 and Paavola mentioned that this is the largest group that the school has ever had go through the program with 23 students signed up and helping fundraise, which is nearly double the usual amount. There will be another 10-12 chaperones who will be accompanying them to Washington D.C.
Each student’s trip cost comes to about $3,100, which each student pays a $500 deposit and the rest is fundraised. Each student is responsible for helping the group fundraise for the total of around $60,000 for this year’s total student cost. The Close Up group goes to the Nation’s capitol every two years to see legislators in action and to visit the country’s many memorials and museums.
“People have been so good to us,” said Paavola. “We’re trying to do some fundraising that is a service too.”