Hempfield High School will host a bingo fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the school cafeteria, 200 Stanley Ave., Landisville. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and bingo will begin at 11 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are available for purchase in advance online.

This is the second year that the girls' lacrosse team booster club has organized a bingo fundraiser, but this year's event will come with a twist: designer handbags and gift cards will be given out as prizes for winning players, and the event will also feature door prizes and prize drawings. The winning prize will be split in half; one half will benefit the program and the other half will be awarded to the winner.

The players on the girls' lacrosse team set up for the fundraiser and spend the day working the event. Many players said they enjoy operating bingo and feel that by coordinating the event, the players are able to bond as a team. "We all have a lot of fun setting up and working the whole event," said senior Whitney Hershey. "The best part of participating in bingo is the team bonding."

Bingo serves as the team's largest fundraiser of the year. The funds raised from the event are used in a variety of ways, such as other team bonding activities, turf rental, offseason training and uniforms and equipment for the players. Currently, the girls' lacrosse team is preparing for the upcoming season with voluntary practices and winter league games at Spooky Nook Sports every Saturday. The players are also getting ready for the start of the season with strength and conditioning training.

The team hopes to overcome a few key challenges this year, the largest of which is the loss of 12 players who graduated last year. Nine of the seniors were starters on the team, but many remaining players are excited to jump into the new season and lead the team. "I'm excited to see how good we'll be this year," said Claudia Ovchinnikoff, head coach of the team. "We have some players from last year who I'm confident will step in and play really well."

Ovchinnikoff also noted that the players on the girls' lacrosse team work together as a team both on and off of the field and create a positive atmosphere and support system for each other. "My favorite aspect of being on the team is watching everyone grow as players and individuals throughout the season," added junior Natalie Bole.

To purchase a ticket for bingo in advance, contact girlslaxhhs@gmail.com.