Relay plays bingo for baskets

Thursday, March 10, 2011
Gladys Akers, left, and Shirley Lundy sit with teammates from the Connected By DePauw relay team at the Relay for Life's Longaberger Bingo Night event Wednesday. The event offered over 100 prizes from the bingo games, the 50/50 drawing and door prizes.

GREENCASTLE -- The tables quickly filled in the Union Ballroom at DePauw University for the Relay for Life's Longaberger Bingo night Wednesday. Hardcore bingo players and Relay teams came together to support the group as they continue to raise money for the American Cancer Association and its research.

But everyone was able to snag a prize even if they didn't win one of the 15 games of bingo played, said Dick Shuck, event co-chair.

Upon paying the $10 for a stack of 15 bingo cards, each card also containing three bingo squares, each player received a brown paper bag that had stapled to it a free appetizer or dessert card from TGI Friday's.

"Everybody is a winner," Shuck said.

The event gave away over 100 prizes from door prizes, a 50/50 draw, raffles and of course bingo.

The grand prizes were the Longaberger baskets themselves, which went to the winner of each bingo game.

Shuck said about 135 tickets were pre-sold to the event, and he expected over 150 to attend. Tables had been reserved for several relay teams. Attendees were also able to purchase dabbers for their bingo cards or purchase snacks provided by Sodexo Food. There was also free popcorn, with the machine provided by Headley Hardware.

The members of the Connected By DePauw relay team were set and ready to play before the 6:30 p.m. starting time. Alberta Johnson was the big winner of the group last year, winning a Longaberger bowl. Gladys Akers also won a stuffed rabbit last year. However, teammate Shirley Lundy said she doesn't mind if she doesn't win big at the event.

"All I do is donate my money because it's a good cause," Lundy said.

Bonnie Shouse has been to every bingo event since the Relay for Life began to host it, and she said she has a lot of fun at it. It is her way of donating to the event now since she no longer walks the track.

"At my age, they take forever," Shouse said.

Shuck was master of ceremonies at the event, calling out bingo numbers to the expecting crowd. With all of the hardcore bingo players in the audience, Shuck is sometimes punished with impatient stares if he moves too slowly, and he has gotten used to watching the crowd and getting into a rhythm early on. He said the crowd dictates the calling pace.

"You soon learn to watch the crowd," Shuck said.

The annual event, after expenses are calculated, will usually give the Relay for Life group about $3,000 to $4,000.

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  • Great event- you did a great job!

    -- Posted by talkymom3 on Thu, Mar 10, 2011, at 9:56 PM
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