Alberton event raises 4-H funds

ALBERTON – A fundraiser last weekend in Alberton to raise money for the local 4-H chapter all depended upon a four-legged participant and her ability to “perform” on demand.

The first annual “cow pie bingo” event held in Alberton asked participants to wager on where a calf from a local farming operation would, according to one organizer, “do her business.”

With a grid laid out on the ground underneath her feet, it was just a matter of time before the calf would send one lucky person home with some extra cash.

Whichever person had the square where the calf decided to “do her business” won half the pot.

The rest, according to organizers, will go to support the local 4-H chapter and the local kids who are members. Dawn Ishler of the Petty Mountain Trackers 4-H Club said the event was a fun way to get the community involved with the group’s activities.

“We put all the names on the grid and then we let the cow loose,” Ishler said. “And when she does her duty on a square, whoever’s name is on that square wins half the pot.”

The event raised $450 for the local 4-H club. Ishler said the funds could be used to help a 4-H participating senior graduate further their education.

“We will buy stuff for the club or we could offer a scholarship for a senior that has participated for years in 4-H,” Ishler said. “This is the first year we have done this so it’s a trial run but it seems like an easy fundraiser. We were talking about ideas and the kids started thinking how we could make it fun and we came up with this idea.”

The calf, named Mimmolett, eventually obliged participants. The winners were Jaime Odell and Betty Miles.