WAGONER — Every Saturday afternoon, the Cloverleaf Lodge #35 of the Order of Odd Fellows opens its doors for a night of bingo.

It used to be a really big deal — 120 or more players would show up, and the lodge would bank as much as $2,000 in a single night, said Terry Crawford, lodge member.

The money was used for the lodge’s community projects, which include a Christmas party and gifts for the state foster children in Wagoner County.

With competition from the tribal bingo halls and higher costs of living, the Odd Fellows’ game has fallen off. Today there are 50 or 60 players on Saturday nights, Crawford said.

“By and large, the people who play with us are the regulars who can’t or won’t commute to Muskogee to play,” he said.

The lodge’s bank account reflects the lower participation, and there’s simply not enough money to buy as many gifts for the foster care program this year, he said.

But lodge members don’t want to give up on the kids, he said.

They plan to hold a fundraiser to allow the community to help with the gift buying, Crawford said.

The Dec. 11 event will be a pie and sweets auction at the lodge hall. Crawford said anyone who wants to donate crafts, services or other items are welcome to do so. Cash donations also will be accepted.

Crawford said the lodge will continue its bingo games, even with lower revenues.

“We are still trying to figure out a way to keep going and keep our spending in line with any income,” he said in a media release.

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