Super Bowl Sunday kickoff about more than football

Bars nationwide have been preparing for Super Bowl Sunday for weeks, making sure they have everything they need to keep their customers satisfied.

Inside Rumor’s in Pocatello, it’s not just the big game they’re preparing for.

“Our kickoff for Make-A-Wish is Super Bowl Sunday,” Rumor’s owner Kris Miner said. “We have a dart tournament, which half the money for the buy in’s and stuff goes to Make-A-Wish.”

The dart tournament, which Miner said can get quite competitive, has kicked off the pub’s fundraising for the past couple of years. Last year, it brought in a grand total of $25,000.

So how did Make-A-Wish make its way into Rumor’s?

Miner said she had a customer ask if she wanted to get involved, “and I’ve just been doing it ever since.”

Now in its 7th year, the fundraiser has brought in well over $50,000 for the foundation.

“I think our first year, we raised like $2,000 and it’s just gone up from there,” Miner said.

This year, Miner hopes to keep the streak alive and once again raise more money than in years past.

“I know $25,000 is a…if we can raise that, that would be awesome. But it’s three wishes,” she said.

But even thinking about that possibility gets miner emotional.

“Oh yeah, can’t you tell? Yeah, I’m a big boob,” Miner said with a laugh.

Miner plans to keep the event running every year and has some desires for the future.

“I’d like to see the community come to the event,” she said. “Just to experience it. It’s awesome.”

In addition to Sunday’s Make-A-Wish event, the pub hosts events throughout the year to help hit its donation goals.