For 15 years, the Rotary Club of Huntsville’s TV bingo has been a major fundraiser for its outreach programs, including youth programs – the breakfast club, youth exchange program, educational workshops and retreats for young adults – and humanitarian funding for local social support.
“We get requests from individuals who need support with medical devices or they need a walker or have dentures that need to be fixed or they’re cold and need firewood,” says Rob Saunders, Chair of the Rotary Club of Huntsville’s Media Bingo. “It’s an important part of our overall social support and it stays primarily in the community.” Those who have a need or know someone who does can contact Rotary at [email protected]. Requests are reviewed by a committee. “We are always open to an approach from someone who has a need,” says Saunders.
The bingo game plays on Tuesday nights at 7pm on CogecoTV, with the grand prize of $4,000 only awarded in 52 numbers or less. But on December 20, the game will play until someone claims the prize, guaranteeing a winner.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a grand prize winner,” says Saunders. “With Christmas fast approaching we figured some lucky person could use the bonus cash.”
As on all other bingo nights, prior to the big game there will be four regular games in which an additional total of $1,000 will be won.
Tickets are just $8 and can be purchased at the two downtown Mac’s stores, Brunel Mart, Huntsville Hometown Drug Store, Westside Variety, West Road Convenience, Shoppers Drug Mart, Pops in the Mall, and both Capstone Petro Canada locations. “Be sure to buy your tickets and tune in to TV Cogeco Cable 10 at 7 pm on Tuesday, December 20 to play and possibly win the $4,000 grand prize.”
The December 13 Rotary bingo helped to raise awareness for the YWCA Girlz Unplugged program, which the club has supported for several years.
Thanks to other fundraising, the Rotary Club of Huntsville continues to support other local initiatives. The club will be half-way through its installments for its $100,000 commitment to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation this year.
The Club hosts an annual Christmas party-cum-fundraiser that has Rotarians auctioning off services to one another with the funds going to a local charitable group. Last year they raised just under $10,000.
And, in conjunction with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the Rotary Club is busy building sets and getting ready for its community production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
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This amazing group of local volunteers really do go above and beyond “service beyond self”. Rotary does so much for this community – if you see a Rotarian give them a huge thank you-better yet get involved and give back. Thank You Rotary for all that you do!!