STURGIS — Lillian Smith was recently presented with a bouquet of flowers and a gift certificate from the Sturgis Community Bingo committee for her work in making the Sturgis Community Bingo such a successful organization.
President Janice Beatty made the presentation after the Sturgis Community Bingo Volunteer appreciation supper on Nov. 27 organized by member Vi Skogen. There were 36 of the 39 volunteers in attendance.
Smith is the bingo co-ordinator, lunch convenor and on call for the 50 weeks a year. The bingo is held as a fundraiser to pay off the debt on the hall which is scheduled to be paid off by 2030.
On receiving her gift of appreciation, Smith replied, "You can be the ‘bingo boss’ but without all you willing volunteers nothing would happen! Thanks to all of you for saying ‘yes’ when I call.”
Bingo has been a mainstay for fundraising since the early days when the Sturgis Kinsmen Club held bingos in St. Patrick’s R.C. Church basement and later moved to the Legion Hall. Over the years the Legion ran bingos and then the READ Club, the Timberline School Division Band, Figure Skating Club and Sturgis Station House Museum.
In May of 2004, the funds raised were earmarked for the future new hall which was opened in 2010. The executive then was president Tom Smith, treasurer Patsy Olson and secretary Jean Babiuk.
Present executive is president Janice Beatty, vice Lillian Smith, secretary Jean Babiuk, treasurer Donna Sikorski, and directors Eugene Steciuk, Cheryl Walker, Vi Skogen, Don Kurulak and Tom Smith. Bingo callers are Eugene Steciuk and Patsy Letwiniuk.
As well as the proceeds from each bingo night which must go to paying the hall debt the Gaming Commission gives the organization 25 cents on every dollar earned. Some of this extra money goes to the town to help pay expenses and $300 is earmarked for a Sturgis Composite School scholarship each year. The Bingo committee has donated $189,902 from 2011 to debentures in the past years plus addition money from LGS grant for hall expenses.
