PAW's Designer Purse BINGO Friday night

Enclosed facility

“Some people were telling me that’s going to be nice for the staff, and I said “Oh yeah, them too,”

Sandy Brown, PAW Director

FORT MADISON – Steel framing is underway for the new PAW animal shelter, but funds are still needed for completion of the project.

To that end the PAW shelter is again holding its Designer Purse BINGO event this Friday at the LULAC Club in Fort Madison.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door, but PAW Director Sandy Brown said she hopes there is no need for door sales.

“This is our fourth year of this and after the first year we’ve been sold out for this huge fundraiser every year,” Brown said.

“We’re hoping it will be sold out again this year.”

The fundraiser is set around BINGO and instead of winning monetary prizes, BINGO winners get to pick their choice of a designer purse.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and BINGO starts at 6 at 1424 36th Street in Fort Madison. Food and drinks are available and participants must be at least 18 years of age to play.

“Bring extra money because there are many other ways to win including a 50/50 raffle or a prize basket. It’s a lady’s night, but men show up and we’re good with that,” Brown said.

Designer purses are valued at up to $400 with the Shelter purchasing the clutches for the event. But Brown said anyone wanting to donate purses can do so by contacting the shelter at 319-372-2274. Brands including Kate Spade, Micheal Kors and Coach will be up for prizes.

“We have some funky other ones, but when you win you get to choose your purse off the table,” Brown said.

All the funds raised at the event will go the new shelter construction. The project is currently underway with steel framing being constructed with Shickedanz Construction doing the build.

Brown said she hopes to have the project enclosed by the fall so that the “Box Cars” which are the large interior dog runs, can be completed to allow all the dogs to be inside during the winter.

“Some people were telling me that’s going to be nice for the staff, and I said “Oh yeah, them too,” Brown said with a laugh.

Brown is encouraging people to get their tickets today before the price goes up at the door.

“We really want to encourage people to come out and enjoy this. It’s a huge fundraiser for us and a lot of fun,” Brown said.

“Citizens of this town who support us are very excited. It’s not just a big deal for PAW, but a big deal for Fort Madison and the county.”