Bingo is supposed to be fun.
And charity is supposed to be for a good cause.
But when Arctic Paws chair Angela McInnes began hearing about angry phone calls to her volunteers on Feb. 13, she knew something had gone wrong with their latest fundraising event.
As a non-profit, the Spay and Neuter organization – which provides veterinary services for the town and covers a large amount of costs, including transporting stray animals to loving homes further south and providing pet medication to families that cannot afford it – relies on fundraising opportunities to pay their bills.
In the lead-up to Valentines Day, the Inuvik Greenhouse made an offer to the Arctic Paws foundation to run its Saturday bingo and keep the profit. Tickets were sold, players tuned in and people began vying for the $25,000 jackpot.
During the evening, a ball numbered N36 was seen on the video coming through the chute and eager audience members dabbed the number down, expecting it to be the next one to be called. However, the number was not called or placed on the board, which caused some of the players to erupt into outrage.
McInnes said she was at her child's birthday party when her phone started blowing up.
"People called, people came to the dome demanding refunds and threatening the safety and lives of the volunteers and workers," McInnes said in a statement. "The harassment continued into the evening and extended to the Town Lottery Officer in her own home. We have been dealing with the investigation and messaging since."
Inuvik Greenhouse executive director Ray Solotki confirmed she also received harassing messages and phone calls from people angry about the miscall.
McInnes added that several aggressive patrons pressured one volunteer to refund $500 out of the Arctic Paws account, which is normally not permitted. All valid cards and winnings were calculated and winners were paid out.
Noting Arctic Paws clinics cost the organization roughly $21,000 per year, spaying and neutering between 35-45 animals annually, McInnes said the organization has chosen not to host any more bingos for fundraising.
"We do hope that we will find other ways to generate funds for veterinary clinics and that you all still have the opportunity to access those subsidized services," said McInnes. "This is after all why Arctic Paws exists.
"This why I prefer working with animals, they only want to be happy and loved."
In response to the trauma experienced by bingo callers, several community members have stepped up with donations, with Rocky's Plumbing and Heating donating the $500 that was improperly refunded.
