150 Pack Bingo Night to Help Pets in Need

When 150 people filled Hamlin Township Hall for bingo on a Saturday night, they weren't just playing for prizes. They were making sure local families could afford to care for their pets.

Lakeshore Animal Friends hosted their first-ever bingo fundraiser, and tickets sold out completely. Organizer Julie Henry spent months planning the event with volunteers Kory Henry and Casey Lundberg, turning what started as a simple idea last October into a five-hour community celebration.

Julie knows firsthand why this work matters. As a foster mom for bottle-fed kittens, pregnant cats, and orphaned animals, she sees struggling families every day who want to do right by their pets but can't afford standard veterinary costs.

The money raised goes directly toward monthly low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Jody McCarthy, the nonprofit's vice president, explains that a typical spay now costs between $300 and $400 at regular veterinary offices, but Lakeshore Animal Friends offers the same service for just $70 thanks to a veterinarian who volunteers his time.

The organization just started its sixth year running these monthly clinics. That's 60 months of helping families prevent unwanted litters while keeping beloved pets in their homes instead of in shelters.

The Ripple Effect

Every $70 spay or neuter prevents countless animals from entering an already overwhelmed shelter system. When families can afford basic care, pets stay in loving homes, shelters have more resources for animals truly in need, and entire communities see fewer strays.

The fundraiser kept spirits high all night with host Sherman Morse calling numbers, silent auction items up for bid, and beef hot dogs from Sanders Meats for sale. Neighbors laughed, competed, and connected over a shared love for animals.

The enthusiasm was so strong that Lakeshore Animal Friends is already planning their next bingo night for October.

When a community shows up 150 strong for animals who can't speak for themselves, everyone wins.