SIX NATIONS – Jamieson Elementary School held its annual Toy Bingo Saturday, which was very well attended by Six Nations and area Christmas Toy shoppers. Prizes included a Samsung 51 inch digital smart TV, as well as a 39-inch model, an iMac computer system, a MacBook, Game Station and many other great prizes.
The Toy Bingo concept began in around 1994 when Audrey Powless-Bomberry, currently vice-principal at Jamieson, was teachers at Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo emersion school to help supplement the chronic under funding most reserve schools suffer from.
“We’ve got some great prizes again this year,” said Powless-Bomberry. “I’m very pleased with the turnout and have lots of support from the community, and I’d like to thank them. We’ve got an amazing staff who come out every year to help us fundraise.”
“Mr. Chad Garlow is a very important in organizing the fundraising and we owe him a great deal of thanks,” adds Powless-Bomberry. “I also want to thank Chad’s family because they also do a lot of baking for our bake sale.”
The bingo hall was loaded with parents and family members of Six Nations and area children seeking to win great presents to put under the tree this Christmas.
Leo DiPiazza from Toronto was at the Bingo in hopes of both helping the school and maybe going home with a few Christmas gifts to boot.
“Great turnout,” he said. “I’m just really happy for the school.”
The Jamieson Toy Bingo traditionally gathers around $27,000 through this fundraiser alone. Some of each year’s earnings are put aside to purchase gifts prizes for the following year.
According to Jamieson principal Ann Noyse, the money raised pays for school trips and activities, and other functions for the students.
