ROCHELLE — On Thursday, Dec. 5, a Small Business Bingo event was held at the Chicagoland Skydiving Center hangar at the Rochelle Municipal Airport and raised $3,820 that will be split between nonprofits Foundation for Focus House and the Rochelle Township High School Education Foundation, Event Organizer and AP Massage Therapy Owner Ashley Patrick said.

Small Business Bingo was started in 2023 by Patrick, who came up with the idea of bingo nights in the community with prizes donated by local businesses to raise money for area nonprofits. The fundraiser raised $18,853 for area nonprofits in 2023 with its inaugural four events. Its other events this year on April 4 and Nov. 7 raised $4,105 and $5,555, respectively. 

Other nonprofits that have benefited so far this year include the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, The Kitchen Table, HOPE of Ogle County and Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center.

“As our events have grown we’ve been able to spread out the help to more organizations,” Patrick said. “We also did a toy drive for the Community Action Network’s Shopping Trip in conjunction with the event. We had a food drive for the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry last month. We’ll help 10 organizations total with this year’s events. Even though it was a cold night around the holidays, we still had about 225 people attend. It was a wonderful turnout.”

Small Business Bingo’s next event will be held Jan. 2 (to benefit the Hub City Senior Center and Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County) at the same location and time of 6-8 p.m. That night will include surprises and bonus rounds of bingo to thank patrons for their support. Bingo will be played until all prizes are gone. Food and drinks will again be served by the Flight Deck Bar & Grill and Patrick said a shuttle service is being considered due to parking shortages and how cold it’ll be. 

Patrick said she’s been surprised at the amount of growth Small Business Bingo has seen. 

“I never thought I’d be able to make it grow so much and have such an impact and help so many nonprofits,” Patrick said. “We’ve brought businesses and community members together and everyone has been so receptive. It’s been great. We raise enough funds now that we can split them and help two nonprofits each time. It’s just amazing. I love seeing how supportive everyone has been. When I’ve needed help, people have stepped up. Everyone seems so excited and willing.”

Patrick said that the event has a lot of regular attendees that come out to each bingo night.  

“And a lot of the same businesses donate and volunteer and bring people to play,” Patrick said. “It shows they believe in the mission and what we’re trying to do. I greatly appreciate people coming out this time of year when it’s busier during the holidays. That’s why I wanted it to be a simple event that’s affordable for $15. It’s a few hours and a fun night to take a break from all that stress. And the baskets can make great Christmas presents.”