PHOTO PROVIDED Centre Hall Fire Company raised funds during their April 3 Bingo night for two bonus organizations, the Centre Hall Area Branch Library and the Pa. Special Olympics. Each organization received a check for $600. Shown here is Centre Hall Area Branch Library Manager Kathleen Edwards (left) accepting a check from Centre Hall Fire Company Secretary Wanda Hockenberry.

CENTRE HALL — Over the course of the last several months, Centre Hall Fire Company has made generous donations to help other organizations in the community. The fire company holds a First Friday of the Month Bingo where players have rallied to help raise funds for bonus organizations the fire company has selected to help.

The April 3 Bingo saw the fire company selecting two organizations, the Centre Hall Library’s Summer Reading Program and the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, as bonus benefactors.

In addition to $2 from every Early Bird Bingo packet sold, there was a basket raffle table with numerous prizes that Bingo players could buy chances for, and the proceeds would then be split evenly between the two bonus organizations.

Thanks to the players, $1,200 was raised during the April Bingo and checks were issued to both organizations.

Fire company secretary Wanda Hockenberry was happy to present Kathleen Edwards, library branch manager, with a $600 check recently.

The Library’s Summer Reading Program theme for 2026 is “Unearth a Story,” which will offer educational and fun experiences for all ages and abilities. This summer the library hopes to bring back more in-person events, fun activities and great prizes for everyone!

Be sure to check out the Centre Hall Area Library for upcoming events that are being planned.

Before taking a summer break, Centre Hall Fire Company has one more Bingo left this spring on Friday, May 1, where the bonus organization the fire company plans to help is the HOPE Fund of Penns Valley.

HOPE, in this instance, stands for Helping Other People Everyday. This fund helps to support members of the Penns Valley Area community who may be going through hardships, whether it be a medical crisis or perhaps they’ve experienced a fire or another type of disaster in their lives, that they need a financial lift to help ease their worries.

The Centre Hall Fire Company hopes to pack the fire station truck bays with Bingo players on Friday, May 1, so everyone can lend a hand in supporting the HOPE Fund of Penns Valley. For each Early Bird packet sold, the fire company will donate $2 to the HOPE Fund along with the proceeds from the basket raffle table. Basket donations and prizes are also being accepted for the raffle. Folks are encouraged to donate knowing the proceeds will help people they know right here in the Penns Valley area.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the Early Bird games beginning at 6:30 p.m. and regular Bingo starts at 7 p.m.

To learn more about the HOPE Fund of Penns Valley and its mission, visit their website at www.pennsvalleyhopefund.com.