Rochelle bingo event raises $7,180 for local nonprofits

Ashley Patrick, owner of AP Massage Therapy and organizer of Small Business Bingo, reported that the Nov. 3 event raised $7,180 for two Ogle County nonprofits. The gathering took place at Flight Deck Bar & Grill in Rochelle and drew nearly 350 attendees. Patrick stated that the funds will be split between Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center and HOPE of Ogle County.

The Nov. 3 gathering set a new attendance and fundraising record for the series. Patrick noted that the venue was set up for 350 people and that nearly every seat was filled. She said the amount raised exceeded previous totals, even during past events where a donor matched the funds collected. The ticket price remained $15 to keep the event accessible to a wide range of residents. Patrick credited the community’s support for a raffle that added substantial revenue to the total.

Patrick began the Small Business Bingo concept in 2023 with the goal of holding four events and raising between $1,000 and $1,200 each. Initial attendance targets were set at 50 to 60 people per night. Since then, more than a dozen local nonprofits have benefited from the series. The total amount raised across all events to date stands at $54,110. The series has expanded in scale, with the Nov. 3 event marking the first of two planned for 2026. Previous years saw two events in 2025 and four events annually in the program’s first two years.

The next Small Business Bingo is scheduled for Dec. 10. Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the hangar on the Flight Deck Bar & Grill property, with the event running from 6 to 8 p.m. This upcoming session will support the Hub City Senior Center and Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County. Details are available on the Small Business Bingo Facebook page. Patrick said she has received many inquiries about the return of the event during the 11 months since the last gathering.

Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center assists families and children in Ogle and Lee counties who have experienced child abuse. The organization collaborates with law enforcement, prosecutors, the Department of Children and Family Services, and medical providers. Their work focuses on cases involving severe physical or sexual abuse, violent crimes, domestic violence, or child deaths in the home.

HOPE of Ogle County serves as the area’s domestic violence support agency. The group provides free and confidential services, including counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, and legal advocacy. They also operate a 24/7 hotline for those in need of assistance.

Patrick attributed the event’s success to a dedicated group of volunteers and local businesses that have donated prizes since the program’s inception. She said she was impressed by the level of volunteerism and community togetherness observed at the Nov. 3 event. The local businesses involved have maintained their donation commitments over the years, a consistency Patrick described as a major factor in the program’s growth.

Patrick said she did not initially plan for the series to reach this scale. She noted that the model relieves fundraising burdens from the nonprofits by providing their own volunteer base and donor resources. She described the format as simple and effective, avoiding the higher ticket prices common at other fundraisers. Patrick expressed her desire to continue the program as long as community support holds, aiming for a sustainable long-term run.

She indicated that two events per year during the colder months provide a good balance to prevent volunteer burnout. Patrick said she wants to ensure the community remains engaged without overextending the group. The success of the Nov. 3 event reinforced her belief that the format works well for local residents and local charities.