For the first time since 2019, the Jefferson Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #9599 is hosting the return of community bingo. 

Post Commander Jim Martin says the initial bingo night is coming up this Monday at 6:30pm. Along with bringing back bingo, Martin points out the game itself got an update with an 85-inch television and an electronic, computer-programmed bingo game to reduce equipment issues and human errors. He talks about the other reasons why they put a focus on updating bingo with new technology as the renovations to the building were being finished earlier this year.

“We’re trying to make this hall fun for the community and entertaining too. So we just try to get ahead of the old times and into the new times.”  

Martin describes how they got some help figuring out the best direction for them to restart bingo.

“We got a hold of the American Legion in Coon Rapids and the American Legion in Polk City, and they were both very helpful with the ideas (of) how they do theirs, how to start it up and keep it simple. So that helped out a lot, reaching out to them.”  

Bingo cards will be sold in a ten pack for $5 each, along with combination packs for additional money. Martin notes there are cash prizes during the first set of games, with half of the entry fees going back to their organization for things like sending local veterans to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The final game of the evening is Blackout with separate bingo cards and a winner takes all cash prize. He adds that there will be suggestion cards on the table for community members to fill out about other things they would like to see included in future bingo games that are going to be held the last Monday of every month.