The Foundation at West River Health Services revived our community’s BINGO playing ways on the 4th of July. Over 100 people piled into Suzie’s Woodfire Grill (formerly the Eagles Club, where the Eagles Auxiliary hosted Hettinger’s 4th of July BINGO for years) to hear Linda Weaver’s call of eleven games of BINGO.
For $25 at the door, Bingo players could pick their cards and enjoy the pleasant hospitality, furnishings and beverages at Suzie’s. If they opted for a 2nd card, the price was lowered to $20; a third card for $15, etc. It was for an excellent cause, as all net funds raised went toward the WRHS Foundation’s revitalized “Partners In Health Club.”
The ground rules were set from the beginning: everyone agreed they’d YELL out BINGO when they had one. First, we’d play five games of BINGO: Regular, Either Or (Regular or Four Corners), “X,” Regular and “T.” The lucky winners of these first five BINGO games were Suzie Reuther, Larry Slater, Sandy Lien, Cathy Hanson and Carmen Strid.
After a short ten minute restroom, beverage and “switch out those losing cards” break, we then followed with five more Bingo games, including Small Window Frame (8 numbers around the FREE space), Regular, “H,” “L,” and Regular. The lucky winners of these second five BINGO games were Lillaine Brawner, Sarah Dennison, Mark Baumeister, Kalie Jackson, Stacey Chadwick and Suzie Reuther (again!)
Each of the first ten game winners received payouts of $75 per game, plus a prize from a local business (gift cards, shirts, golf balls, mugs, coolers, artwork, crafts, golf balls, etc.) If there were more than one BINGO winner per game, we agreed from the onset, that each of the winners would draw playing cards and the highest card could select if they wanted the $75 cash or an amazing prize gifted by local businesses. Surprisingly, we had only one game of the first ten with two winners. Last, but certainly not least, we agreed we’d play BLACKOUT BINGO for $300! After the first winner of BLACKOUT got their $300, we played the balance out for awesome prizes from local businesses.
The eleventh and final game of BINGO was BLACKOUT. Barry Stevens was the first to BLACKOUT his card for the $300 GRAND PRIZE! We continued playing BLACKOUT for prizes and the following received them: Gilbert Mayer, Larry Slater, Valerie Davis and Carol Jorgenson.
Overall, the West River Health Services netted $1,700 from eleven games of BINGO in less than two hours! All of these net funds will go toward our “Partners In Health Club,” which provides needed equipment and technology for various areas at West River Health Services and Western Horizons Living Centers. This Club is our annual giving membership club, currently comprised of 138 giving members. Thank you Angela Hughes, Carmen Strid and Lillaine Brawner for pushing us to sponsor 4th of July BINGO once again for our community. Isn’t this a terrific community we call home?
SPECIAL THANKS to Gregg and Suzie Jacobsen at Suzie’s Woodfire Grill for graciously hosting this BINGO event. THANKS to Linda Weaver for making the call; and THANKS to our local businesses for sponsoring the wonderful prizes (Adams County Record, Peacock Mercantile, KB Jewelers, Kennedy’s Fresh Foods, Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union, Pastime Bar & Steakhouse, Uecker Yards, Dacotah Bank, Thrifty White Pharmacy, Gate City Saving Bank, Graphic Designs & Printing and Lillaine Brawner Crafts). Plus, THANK YOU to all of the bingo players – win or lose, please know that your attendance made a positive impact on our local healthcare system. And, for that, we are most grateful.
See you all next year, when the air conditioning will be cooler, the sound system will be louder (needless to say, Ted is a little hoarse!), but the BINGO will be just as HOT! Let’s keep improving our top-notch healthcare, “close to home.” TOGETHER we are making a difference – for everyone in our area communities. Onward!
By Ted Uecker, WRHS Foundation