The Senior Resource Association hosted its own version of “March Madness” last Thursday, trading brackets for bingo cards at the 10th Annual Bingo Brunch, held at the Oak Harbor Club.
A sold-out crowd of 200 ladies said “oui oui” to some friendly competition at the Springtime in Paris themed event, co-chaired by Denise Hegener and Vikki Feurer.
“This past year, SRA celebrated its 40th anniversary. We are so grateful that we can continue to offer such great programs to those in need throughout the community,” said Karen Deigl, Senior Resource Association President/CEO, welcoming guests and thanking sponsors, committee members and board members. “Funds raised through events like bingo go a long way in helping us achieve our goals. We are so thrilled to have you all here to support our cause.”
Programs include Meals on Wheels and Emergency Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care, Social Congregate Meals, Nutrition Education and Counseling, Case Management, Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly, Silver Tones Chorus and Transportation.
“I know you all are aware that the Meals on Wheels program is really volunteer-oriented. That’s how we deliver over 200 hot meals each day to our homebound seniors. In addition to that, we also have another 150 meals that we serve at our congregate meal sites,” said Deigl. Roughly 150 volunteers deliver meals; most doing so one day a week, but there is a serious need for additional people. “We are short 23 volunteers, and this is crippling to our Meals on Wheels program.”
She turned the microphone over to SRA board chairman Pud Lawrence, who soon had ladies rummaging in their pocketbooks during a travel version of their popular Purse Game, asking for items such as a pen stolen from a hotel, Ambien, a Hermes scarf, and American Express Travelers Checks. French-themed prizes all included a bottle of wine – “because you can’t go to Paris without wine,” noted Lawrence, but also featured French fries, French toast, baguettes, and even Plaster of Paris.
After lunching on a medley of Quiche Lorraine, salad and fruit, the ladies were ready to get down to the business at hand. Bingo daubers at the ready, they eagerly turned their attention to returning bingo callers, Tom Nelson, SVP/Senior Financial Advisor at Nelson Morgan Wealth Management, and Gerry Thistle, Vice President, Willis Group Holdings Limited.
“When you get bingo, you don’t want to whisper it. You want to yell it!” advised Thistle. And yell it they did, accompanied by groans of disappointment from the others, many being overheard to say, “I was so close!”
But they all went home with a consolation prize, thanks to Carolyn Stutt, who generously gifted everyone with orchid-scented Eiffel Tower soaps made by Bragg Family Soaps.
Celeta Arden went home particularly happy as the winner of the raffle drawing – a gorgeous Journey Diamond Necklace, donated by Zeran Jewelers, and others happily clutched the goodies they had purchased as high bidders of the silent auction.
“This was the best year ever,” said Deigl, commenting on sponsorship levels and attendance. “The support from the community has been amazing.”
The need is also at its highest level, with 75 people currently on the wait list for Meals on Wheels due to a lack of funding.
“We don’t have enough public funding and they can’t afford to pay for it themselves,” Deigl explained. “That’s why we’re always asking for funding so we can take persons off that wait list.”
