Gun Bingo raises over $18K for cancer in BP

More than $18,000 was earned for the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group by the Second Annual Gun Bingo fundraiser held on Friday night, Sept. 18.
This event was one of several fundraising efforts for the BP Cancer Group.
The annual BP Cancer Auction under the Big Tent was cancelled this year because of the coronavirus. BP Cancer Group volunteers didn't let the virus stop them from raising funds in a different way.
The Big Tent was brought back for Gun Bingo on Friday night and for Crazy Days for a Cure under the Big Tent on Saturday. A luncheon to benefit the BP Cancer Group (eat-in or take out) was held at the Cue Company.
A city-wide garage sale was sponsored by the Blooming Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce. Many of the 24 garage sale locations were also open on Friday.
A Grand Opening for Pumpkins in the Prairie was held on Saturday. The pumpkin patch featured lots of pumpkins and gourds. Kids also had the opportunity to visit the Bounce House and to enjoy the many games featured at the site.
Another benefit for the BP Cancer Group was staged by the Blooming Prairie Remote Control Track. Thirty-six racers were registered for the day's races. All proceeds were directed to the BP Cancer Group. Track manager Nate Schumacher said $3,227 was raised, exceeding the track's goal of $2,000.
"We needed that wonderful weekend," remarked Connie Trom, volunteer for the BP Cancer Group. She chaired the event and reported funds raised in excess of $18,000.
Ten Bingo games were played with a gun being the prize for each Bingo winner. Four guns were also raffled.
Trom said the 14 lucky winners represented seven women and seven men.
Sponsors of the four raffles were: Raffle No. 1, in memory of Phillip Milton; Raffle No. 2, in celebration of Robin Akkerman; Raffle No. 3, to honor the Blooming Prairie community members who are fighting cancer and Raffle No. 4, in memory of Darrel Trom.
The 10 Bingo games were sponsored by the following: Game No. 1, in memory of Marlene Symes; Game No. 2, in memory of Elaine Klemmenson; Game No. 3, to honor citizens of Claremont fighting cancer; Game No. 4, in memory of Casey Bernholtz and in celebration of her daughter Jill Baker; Game No. 5, survivor Gail Anderson; Game No. 6, in honor of Carole Toquam; Game No. 7, in memory of Wayne Akkerman; Game No. 8, in honor of Dodge Center community members stricken by cancer; Game No. 9, in celebration of Sharon Pirkl's battle over cancer and Game No. 10, in celebration of Bebo Getchell's journey with cancer.
Seventy-five door prizes were secured by Denise Krell and Donnell and Brian Johnson. They were given in memory of Dylan Johnson.
"My heart just swelled because of all the support we received for this just cause," said Trom. "It was chaotic at times but thanks to some great volunteers, we were able to succeed with another money maker," she added.
Trom had about 12 volunteers working with her on Gun Bingo. Trom thanked all of her volunteers, donors of prizes and the gun sponsors.
She also thanked Craig and Robyn Kruckeberg for sponsoring the Big Tent. "We wouldn't have been able to have had the event, had it not been for the generous donation by the Kruckebergs," said Trom.
When not organizing the Gun Bingo event, Trom was promoting mum sales for the BP Cancer Group. Working with James Johnson, Trom said 510 mums were sold.