The number one question that we are asked is: Is the American Legion going to have a Bingo Tent and Beer Garden this year at Fisherman’s Picnic? The answer is yes. The second most asked question is: Where does the money for Bingo and Beer Sales go?
Let us give you some background. In order to get a bingo permit there must be a nonprofit organization asking for the permit. This year, as usual, the Sons of the American Legion Post 413 have obtained a bingo permit using American Legion Post 413 IRS tax-exempt status certificate. They will run the majority of the bingo time slots with the rest going to other Cook County nonprofits and organizations. Any profit will be distributed to nonprofit organizations and reported in accordance with Minnesota Gambling Control Board guidelines.
The beer garden is a slightly different structure than in the past. American Legion Post 413 has applied for and has been approved for a four-day permit from the city to sell alcohol in Buck’s parking lot. They are partnering with Grandma Ray’s (which is providing the required liquor license and liability insurance).
One of the things that American Legion Post 413 and Auxiliary Unit 413 have come up with is a priority list of where the profits from the beer sales are going. If you are buying a beer for $4 at the Beer Garden approximately $3 is going to the following list of projects that support veterans in Minnesota and the community of Grand Marais. This year’s dream list: . $1,000 Citizenship Scholarship for 2016-17 school year . One candidate to Girls’ State . $1,000 to Memorial Fund for Flags for Bear Tree Park . $2,000 donation to Silver Bay Veterans Home . Pay for two Cook County veterans for Honor Flight
This is not the final list. If you have questions about use of bingo proceeds, please talk to Don Wilson or Janet Breithaupt.
A special thanks goes to Buck Benson for allowing the use of his parking lot and apologies for the inconvenience it causes his customers.
Liz and Terry
Grandma Ray’s
Grand Marais
Leave a Reply