Bingo helps fund after school program
Linda Sappington
Indy Moll attends the after school program, and tries his hand Friday night trying to win bingo and a few raffle items.
Linda Sappington
Surrounded by family, Cole Whitworth carefully studies his bingo card
Linda Sappington
Tristan Butler longingly stares at the bingo prize table Friday night at Linderman Gym.
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It’s safe to say the prizes at Friday’s After School Program Bingo weren’t worth a hill of beans — they were worth much, much more.
Valuable prizes donated by community members and businesses far exceeded the 50-cent price per bingo card and the resourceful bowls full of uncooked pinto bean markers.
Gift cards valued at $100 shared the table with a plethora of toy prizes awarded every time someone yelled “Bingo!”
Cole Whitworth leaned over a few paper bingo cards and carefully scanned each row as Chuck Wall called a letter and a number. A gumball machine was at his side, a prize his older sister snagged for him after her beans lined up five in a row.
From kid’s toys to adult treasures, the prizes carried a monetary value far beyond expectation.
St. Luke offered $345 in medical care. Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino donated a weekend getaway package for a family of four, including a night’s stay, breakfast, bowling and a trip to the movies. Mission Valley Aquatic Center donated a $125 gift certificate, while many more local businesses and individuals contributed generously.
The donations and additional goodies were artfully displayed in gift baskets and raffled to fund Polson’s After School Program that serves 50-60 students in grades K-8 Monday through Thursday.
From the time the school bell rings until 5:30 p.m., students play games and participate in activities such as arts, crafts, science and cooking. They also get homework assistance from workers who are trained to follow the school curriculum.
“When they go home, they can spend time with their families, and don’t have to be up until 9 p.m. trying to finish their homework,” Program Director Mandie Steele said.
When a student has a rough day in the classroom, they get a brand new start in the after school program, and a chance to “end their day on a better note,” Steele said. “The kids open up to us … and it’s a place for kids to have a good end to the day.”
Although Polson School District provides the site at Linderman Elementary School, the program is funded wholly by donations and grants, according to Steele.
Steele hoped the Bingo night would raise about $1,500. But more than that, the fun family night makes people more aware of the after school program.
“Even if they don’t have children yet, we invite the community to come and spend time with us and see what we do,” Steele said.
With two children in the program, Stephanie St. Clair said her kids “have a blast. It’s been a really positive experience,” she said.
“They get mad at me if I come and get them early.”
