Philomath News
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A Philomath fundraising favorite over the years will return Friday with Turkey Bingo, scheduled to run from 5-8 p.m. in the high school auditorium with proceeds to benefit Philomath Middle School’s band, choir and drama programs.
The event will feature bingo games with frozen turkeys and other prizes, a silent auction with 20 baskets donated by local businesses and individuals, and a $10 meal deal centered on Figaro’s Pizza.
Turkey Bingo has become a beloved community tradition since its inception, though it was sidelined from 2021 through 2023 due to the pandemic. The event returned last year and organizer Shannon Webb said the demand never waned during the hiatus.
“Coming together and having fun with your friends is an appeal,” Webb said. “It’s been going on for so long that people just expect and want it. When it was gone for a few years because of COVID, people were like, ‘When is Turkey Bingo coming back?’ so there was already a long-standing want for this event.”
The fundraiser originally supported Outdoor School, the weeklong nature program for sixth graders. After voters approved a 2016 measure that provided dedicated funding for Outdoor School, organizers redirected Turkey Bingo proceeds to support other middle school programs.
Brian Skaar, who retired from teaching at the middle school last year, will return to call the games. “I’m not sure if it would be Turkey Bingo without him,” Webb said.
The funds raised will support a substantial number of young musicians and performers. According to Webb, 70 students participate in sixth-grade band, 58 in seventh- and eighth-grade band, 35 in seventh- and eighth-grade choir, and 15 in sixth-grade choir. Those students will perform at the middle school’s holiday concert on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Turkey Bingo remains by far the largest fundraiser dedicated to the middle school performing arts programs.
“We do little things here and there, small events at the school, but nothing compares to Turkey Bingo,” Webb said. “There’s definitely a lot of prep work and I’m very blessed to have many helpers with that.”
Webb credited volunteer Amy Morrison with organizing the silent auction, which generates a significant portion of the evening’s revenue.
Webb said most of the frozen turkeys are donated by families. Businesses contribute funds for various prizes — including toilet paper, a gag gift from years past that has become an annual tradition.
Figaro’s Pizza is also contributing a significant amount of the food, Webb said, with other items donated by WinCo.
“The businesses were quite generous this year,” Webb said.
Webb said it’s not known ahead of time how many turkeys will be given away.
“It’s one of those things where we don’t know until the night of,” she said. “We have at least 30 rounds of bingo throughout the night, if not more … but we’ll try to get as many frozen turkeys out to people as possible. It’s called Turkey Bingo for a reason.”
Bingo cards are $5 each or five for $20. Attendees do not need to arrive right at 5 p.m. — Webb said games will begin around 5:20 to 5:30 after participants have time to settle in and grab food. Folks can drop in and play at any point during the evening.
Brad Fuqua has covered the Philomath area since 2014 as the editor of the now-closed Philomath Express and currently as publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He has worked as a professional journalist since 1988 at daily and weekly newspapers in Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota, Arizona, Montana and Oregon.
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