A local school fundraising event that for years attracted hundreds of people annually in November will return to Philomath Friday evening. Turkey Bingo will run from 5-8 p.m. in the Philomath High School auditorium.
The event had become popular in the years before the pandemic in support of Outdoor School, a weeklong nature-focused program for sixth graders. Outdoor School started to receive funds through a measure approved by voters back in 2016 so the money raised at Turkey Bingo went into an account to help support other Philomath Middle School programs.
The last time Turkey Bingo was held in 2020, it was in its 16th year and more than 500 people showed up with the event raising over $5,000.
“Shannon Webb, our performing arts instructor, was looking for a fundraiser and so this was the perfect opportunity to get it started up again,” Philomath Middle School Principal Steve Bell said. “She’s organizing it with all of the proceeds going towards middle school band, choir and theater.”
Folks can participate at any time during the three hours that the event will be running. Bingo cards will be available at a cost of one for $5 or five for $20.
“If you win, you win a prize,” Bell said. “Most often, it’ll be a frozen turkey but there will be other prizes as well. It’s always exciting to see people win a turkey or other item.”
Among the prizes will be a case of toilet paper, Bell added, a prize that was donated years ago as a sort of joke but had become an annual tradition.
In addition to bingo, there will also be a silent auction with various holiday baskets to bid on.
Food will be available for purchase with options including a pork sandwich with chips, pork with rice, Figaro’s pizza slice, nachos and a Dairy Queen dessert.