REFLECTIONS

Marty Johnson of Geneva keeps his regular Bingo calling job at the Geneva Fire Department’s annual fundraiser. Johnson called 40 games in two hours on Saturday night, March 23. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
Geneva Fire Department donates cash to needy family
By
Howard Lestrud, Contributing Writer
Many local fire departments sponsor a variety of fundraisers, and pancake breakfasts or Bingo games help enrich the coffers.
The Geneva Fire Department recently held a Bingo night and, as part of that event, a pie auction. This time, the department decided to donate cash from the 12 pies auctioned to a family who recently lost a family member, a New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva senior.
The name of the recipient family has not been released.
The Geneva Fire has sponsored this fundraiser for the past 12 years. Marty Johnson was the Bingo caller.
This year’s event drew 60 Bingo lovers. Retired Geneva fire fighter Greg Bartsch auctioned the 12 pies. Two gift cards were also given away. Bartsch said $500 was gained from the pie auction.