They were invited to “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” to the 11th annual Bingo Luncheon to benefit the Senior Resource Association, and attendees were happy to do just that. Held at the Oak Harbor Club House, the sold-out event enticed long-time bingo aficionados and beginners alike, all looking forward to an afternoon filled with friendship and laughter for a great cause.
“We’re crazy table 15,” said Jeanine Harris, a realtor with Kay Brown at Premier Estate Properties. “We love this; we have so much fun. Kay has sponsored it since it began and we just have such a ball.”
Arriving guests sipped champagne and mimosas while perusing silent auction items and purchasing raffle tickets for a stunning ruby ring and necklace set donated by John Michael Matthews Fine Jewelry. Filtering into the dining room, more than a few did a double-take at the “Wicked Witch of the West” legs with their iconic ruby slippers, strategically placed “under” the fireplace.
“It’s mine,” laughed SRA president/CEO Karen Deigl when asked about the prop. “That’s my little fun thing at Halloween.”
“You are helping us raise critical awareness for the nourishment needs of the seniors in our community. You allow our organization to continue to provide a lifeline to thousands of older adults in our community,” said board chair Dawn Michael during lunch.
“We provide programs and services to the older adults in our community so that they can live independently and in a healthy way in their own homes. It is a modest concept, but for these individuals it means a difference between dignity and despair.”
She stressed that Meals on Wheels provides the socialization and nourishment that are critical to growing old gracefully. They deliver 2,100 hot meals weekly but need additional funding to provide for another 106 eligible seniors. Other SRA programs include Emergency Meals on Wheels, Congregate Meals, Adult Day Care and Transportation.
“Without a doubt the Senior Resource Association could not survive without the generosity of private individual donations, foundations and our volunteers,” said Michael. “You are helping us meet the needs of the seniors in our community.”
“Some of these people were very successful in life, and now there they sit,” said Trudie Rainone, board member and MOW volunteer, noting that many have amazing stories to tell but no one to talk to. “So when you come with that meal, they light up. They’re important.”
And then it was time for the fierce but friendly rivalry that began even before bingo when Honorary Chair Pud Lawrence presided over the “Let’s Make a Deal”-style Purse Game.
“If you have the item in your purse, jump up and yell ME, ME, ME,” said Lawrence, before calling out dozens of Oz-themed items, eliciting plenty of responses for emeralds, protein bars and bottled water but, not surprisingly, none for a NOAA weather radio or book by Dr. Oz.
The testosterone in the room belonged to bingo callers Patrick McGillicuddy of Seacoast National Bank, who also chaired the event, and Dale Klaus, former principal at Liberty Magnet.
“If we’re going too fast or too slow let us know – men can listen!” promised McGillicuddy, before leading the winners to Oz; the rest already looking forward to doing better next year.
