Benefit bingo to raise money to build bike track in Burnham

Moose Family Center to host March 2 event

LEWISTOWN -- If supporting the local youth isn't on your bingo card, Carli Russler and Shannon McGonigle believe you might be in the wrong game.

The two Burnham women continue to raise money to build a new bike track, called the new SteelWorx Pump Track, at the former Jamboree grounds in Burnham. The cost of the project is $60,000 which is being funded through donations and fundraisers.

They also founded the Every Kid Rides Project non-profit organization, which is hosting a benefit bingo at noon Saturday, March 2, at the Lewistown Moose Family Center, located at 80 Brady Lane, Lewistown, in a continued effort to raise money to build the track. Doors open at 10 a.m.

"We have seen other groups in the area have successful bingos, so we decided to host our own," Russler said. "After the bingo, we are projecting to be a third of the way to our goal.

"We are working on ordering a fence and having it installed hopefully within the next month or so, depending on weather," she added. "After the fence is installed, we can start the initial layout of the track."

Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door. There will also be rip tickets, silent auction, raffles and prizes.

The name SteelWorx was chosen because of the track's proximity to Standard Steel. The name is also a tribute to the steel mill, which has ties to many Burnham residents.

For those who don't keep their ears to the ground in bicycling circles, pump tracks are considered the new kid on the block for off-road biking. A pump track is a looped circuit of banked corners and smooth rollers - plus any other features cyclists might want to throw in.

Unlike a conventional off-roading circuit, pump tracks are designed so riders are completely powered by their own momentum, with no peddling or pushing required.

The Burnham site has a small walking track, football and baseball fields, pavilion and restrooms.

Building a bike track has turned out to be a much bigger project than Russler and McGonigle initially thought, but they have forged ahead.

While the women have been seeking monetary donations for fundraising efforts, they could also use cases of canned soda and bottled water for bingo.

"If anyone would like to donate any, we would greatly appreciate it," McGonigle said. "Two Brothers Bicycle Co. and My Craft Attic have generously offered to be drop-off locations for us."

Craft Attic is located at 101 S. Logan Blvd., Suite C, Burnham.

One thing they have collected plenty of is prizes. "So many great prizes that you can win," Russler boasted.

While there are more prizes to come, right now they include three lottery ticket trees, a designer purse, lots of wine bottles, plus 60 gift baskets packed with all sorts of prizes.

"Come and have a fun time, win some awesome prizes and help us raise the funds to give our community a bike park," McGonigle said.

Tickets can be purchased online at everykidrides.square.site/product/bingo-tickets/10 or stop in at Two Brothers Bicycle Co., located at 309 S. Logan Blvd., Burnham.