INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Bingo was the name of the game for approximately 170 ladies who attended an elegant Breakfast at Tiffany’s Bingo Brunch Thursday at the Oak Harbor Club to benefit the Senior Resource Association.
With a nod to the iconoclastic Holly Golightly, arriving guests were given ‘pearl’ necklaces to wear and mimosas to sip on, as they mingled in the lobby and caught up with friends. Many also purchased Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend raffle tickets, hoping to win a stunning pair of diamond earrings created by Zeran Jewelers.
“I just drink lots of mimosas and hope for the best,” laughed Brenda Lloyd, when asked if she had a winning bingo strategy. “It’s just a lot of fun.”
“I have my grandmother’s bingo gene,” admitted Andi Beck. “I do; I always win at bingo. She won all the time; it didn’t matter where she played.”
“They make this fun; they don’t take it too seriously,” said Susan Kamer. “It’s for Senior Resources, and bingo is a big thing for seniors, so it’s kind of a tongue in cheek kind of thing.”
After dining on a medley of mini quiches, salad and fruit, the friendly but competitive fun commenced with the reinstatement of the ever popular ‘Purse Game,’ somewhat reminiscent of Monty Hall’s Lets Make a Deal. The game had taken a hiatus last year, so ladies were surprised but ready to rummage and dig deep into their bags as SRA board president Pud Lawrence called out such obscure items as a tire gauge and a speeding ticket.
The job of Bingo Caller belonged to two brave men – Tom Nelson, Senior Vice President at Nelson Morgan Wealth Management and John Rosati, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Communications International. Nelson is an old-hand, having done it the last three years, but it was the first time at this all-important job for Rosati.
Daubers at the ready, the ladies settled down for the business at hand, peering over their bingo cards in quiet concentration. Groans and laughter accompanied each gleeful shout of BINGO before players moved on to the next round.
Proceeds from the event will help fund the numerous programs and services offered by the Senior Resource Association, including the newly expanded Adult Day Care facility in Vero Beach. They have a smaller building in Sebastian as well; both licensed healthcare facilities.
“It’s a wonderful place for individuals to go during the day who can no longer be at home by themselves,” said Karen Deigl, SRA President/CEO. “We are so excited to have the support of the community.”
The Adult Day Care program offers caregivers an opportunity to go about their daily lives knowing their loved ones are being taken care of in a safe and socialized environment.
“Eighty-five percent of our clients have some sort of dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said Diegl, adding that they are in the process of applying for an Alzheimer’s care certification.
Other programs offered by the Senior Resource Association include Meals on Wheels and Social Congregate Meals, Case Management, and Transportation, such as GoLine, a public transportation system for riders of all ages.