Santa Bingo brings big prizes and big smiles
BEAR HUG – Isabel Hanson, the lucky winner of the afternoon door prize, enjoys the day with sisters Brooke, 11, and Indy, 2. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
In spite of the fact that there was not much snow left on the ground due to the mid-40 degree temperatures on Saturday afternoon, December 13th, Santa did manage to arrive in Geneva at 2 p.m. to greet all of the children.
Prior to his arrival about 50 kids, along with the help of many of their parents, turned out to play Bingo. Chase Simon, 8-week-old son of Travis and Stacy Simon, was the youngest one in attendance this year.
Barb Kuckenbecker coordinated the event for the Geneva Businessmen's Club this year. Angie Butler called Bingo numbers and was assisted by a number of people from the Victory Life Assembly of God Church. The church donated 112 Bingo prizes, and as a result, each of the children were able to take two prizes along home with them. Some of the prizes that were available for the kids to choose from included two large stuffed bears, a penguin and a red snake, a football, two hanging bird feeder kits, blankets for both children and dolls, a Vikings Christmas hat, several games, a basketball, several dolls, coloring books, lunch bags, a magnetic drawing board, a pan fish popper, several Matchbox car sets, beauty play sets, a mini racer play set, play-doh, painting kits, etc.
One very large white bear was the afternoon door prize and 7-year-old Isabel Hanson was the lucky winner. Her sisters, Jody, 2 years old, and Brooke, 11, gladly helped take that big bear home.
Victory Life also assisted Santa this year and donated bags of goodies that were given to the children as they left the community center.
Diane Butler, who serves as pastor at the Victory Life Assembly of God Church wished everyone a very Merry Christmas as the afternoon came to a close.