The Strasburg Community Parks Foundation and Strasburg Fire Company No. 1 have been a winning combination.

The two nonprofits are once again joining forces to host an event that will benefit both organizations.

The annual Bingo, Baskets & Beef BBQ fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 21, at the Strasburg Fire Company, 203 W. Franklin St., Strasburg. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and the bingo games will begin at 6 p.m.

There will be 10 regular games of bingo, and the winner will receive a cash prize. There will also be three special games with the first game's prize being two tickets to Sight & Sound Theatre. The second special game's prize will be cash, and the prize for the third special bingo game will be a gift certificate to Appel Valley Butcher.

The baskets have mostly spring and Easter themes, as well as home decor; candy, stuffed animals, and activity books for children; a smoothie blender; wine and chocolates; skin care, spring-themed plush throws; a bird feeding basket with bird bath that looks like a nest; bedding plants; baked goods; a gardening basket with tools; and a Summer Lemons Italian products basket. Three families got together and donated a "Gotta Love Strasburg" basket filled with gift cards to eight restaurants and shops in the Strasburg area.

"This will be the fifth time the Strasburg Community Park, the fire company, the Strasburg-area community and those who enjoy playing bingo will come together for an evening of fun," said Barb Rathbone-Frank, who is the event chairperson. "We joined together to hold bingos starting in 2024. It was great to see how popular the events have become all to benefit two worthwhile nonprofits in the Strasburg area."

She noted that bigger will be better. "The Strasburg Fire Company members have increased the seating areas for our guests so we are now able to accommodate many more participants for a fun evening out," Rathbone-Frank said. "All can come and enjoy a nice barbecue sandwich, soup and other refreshments before and during the event that are prepared by Strasburg fire police and firefighters and priced a la carte. The fire company members are great cooks, and this is an opportunity for them to raise funds needed to purchase a replacement tanker truck."

This event will bring in funds beyond what was raised at the 51st annual Spring Donation & Consignment Sale in late February.

Rathbone-Frank said the Strasburg Fire Company responds to more than 200 emergency and fire calls each year, adding that the all-volunteer fire company serves Strasburg Borough and portions of Strasburg, Eden and Paradise townships.

Mike Lockard, Strasburg Fire Company's chaplain and fire police captain, stated that the funds will be put to good use. "We're still in need of funds to purchase a new tanker," he said. "Our present tanker is 26 years old, and we'd like to retire it. The fire equipment manufacturer contacted us recently to let us know the tanker will be ready for us in the spring of 2027, which is one year ahead of what we anticipated."

Lockard added that tankers are crucial because they are used to shuttle water to the main fire scene. "Tankers are especially important in fighting fires in rural areas," he said. "When there is a major fire, more fire companies are needed to transport water to assist the fire company charge. We use our tankers when there are structure, barn and chimney fires."

The Strasburg Community Park is a 12-acre nature park that features walking trails and native landscape plants. In the summer, the park hosts four family-friendly concerts that are free to the public within the park's outdoor amphitheater. The park is located at 151 Precision Ave. in Strasburg, adjacent to the Strasburg Borough Complex, Lancaster County Art Association, Strasburg-Heisler Library and Sunshine Corners Daycare. This fundraiser will provide the financial support needed for continued maintenance and improvements at the park.

"The Strasburg Community Park's stage and information kiosk are in need of staining," said Justin Teleley, who is the president of the Strasburg Community Parks Foundation. "These wooden, post, and beam structures are very attractive and rustic in appearance. They complement our park's native landscape and our community's surrounding agricultural land. Staining is needed every five to six years to preserve the wood. It's hoped that we'll have a successful bingo and (giveaway) basket event so we can get painters scheduled to do the staining as soon as possible."

For more information call 717-572-6830, visit the park's website at http://www.strasburgcommunitypark.org or search for "Strasburg Community Park" on Facebook.