It was a recipe for success Saturday night at Pebble Creek when Becker’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) committee combined the fun and excitement of a Bingo game with the chance to win meat packages and grills.

The result was a wildly successful event which raised funds for the local veteran’s aid organization.  Over two hundred people showed up for the event, packing Pebble Creek’s event area soon after the doors opened at 5 p.m.  From there, it was two-plus hours of fun as the crowd cheered on emcee Brandon Papenfuss and tried to will him to call their favorite numbers.  Veterans in attendance were also treated to some special prize drawings.

Becker BTYR President Kent Graning was impressed with the turnout, as it was the organization’s first attempt at Meat Bingo.  Their popular Turkey Bingo game is always a hit in November, and judging by Saturday’s turnout, Graning expects this event will be back.

“Oh yeah I think we will do it again, it went very well,” Graning said after the event when asked if the committee would do another similar event.

The BTYR committee exists to help Veterans in need, from active duty families to retired members.

“We are here to help everyone and anyone who was or is in the military,” Graning added.

The group meets the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Pebble Creek (the temporary home as City Hall is under construction).

The public is invited to attend the meetings and become involved.  Becker’s BTYR has supported a number of remodeling projects in the past and is willing to entertain Veteran requests for help.

Sponsors for the Meat Bingo event included Lommel Custom Welding and Repair, Becker Lions, LPI, Pebble Creek, McDonald’s Meats and Von Hanson’s.

Graning also announced that a date has been set for the annual Military Kids Appreciation event, which will be held from 10 am. until 1 p.m. on April 19 at the Becker School’s Fieldhouse.  The popular, annual celebration seeks to recognize the sacrifices that children face when their loved one(s) are on deployment.  The event includes bouncy houses and other fun activities for children, as well as a special bicycle drawing for the youth of Veterans.