MELFORT — Melfort Fire and Rescue has returned with their 71st annual Wing Ding fundraiser, this one following last year’s format of being a raffle.
While the fire department had originally hoped to get back to their in-person Wing Ding fundraiser for 2021, which reaches upwards of 300 people in an all-day family Bingo event, this December will just be the raffle for the second year in the row.
“We were optimistic it was just going to be a one-time deal and that we would get back to normal by this year but that just hasn’t happened and we’re still under the province-wide mask mandate,” said Captain Graham Calow, with the department.
He added that if they held the event in-person in the current conditions, the department believes many community members wouldn’t feel comfortable attending.
“The number of participants would be down and we just think it would be better fundraising to do it this way again.”
For the raffle, thirty baskets will be drawn, ten more than last year. Each basket is valued at $100 and contains traditional Wing Ding goodies such as turkeys, hams, oranges, chocolates and more.
The draw will be made on Dec. 17 through Facebook Live on the Melfort Fire & Rescue Facebook page.
Each ticket is five dollars. To purchase tickets an e-transfer can be sent to firehall@melfort.ca. Once received, an individual’s name will be put beside a number to be drawn. People are asked to ensure that their name and contact number is attached.
Any questions can be directed to the department at 306-921-4714.
All proceeds raised go towards specialized equipment.
“We do hope to get back to in-person bingo next year but that will be a decision for another day,” Calow said.
