Happiness is yelling bingo
Charities across P.E.I. are the true winners in the Rotary Club of Charlottetown’s radio bingo
Organizations across P.E.I. are reaping the rewards of a radio bingo fundraiser.
The Rotary Club of Charlottetown, in partnership with CFCY, began the fundraiser in the fall of 2016.
Thanks to the many participants, the first $50,000 in funds raised has been doled out to various charitable organizations.
Chelsey Rogerson, publicity director for the Rotary Club of Charlottetown, said the club was looking for new fundraising ideas and heard of a similar one in New Brunswick and decided to see if it would work on the Island.
Members of the board approached the radio station, and soon the fundraiser was underway, Rogerson said.
“All you have to do is be at home listening to 95.1 FM,” Rogerson said. “You play bingo from the comfort of your own home.”
Rotary radio bingo takes each Tuesday at 7 p.m. on 95.1 FM. Bingo cards can be purchased at convenient stores and pharmacies Islandwide at a cost of $8 per card.
Each card allows the player to play six games.
Prizes range from $100 to $500 depending on the game, and there’s a jackpot that players can participate in as well.
Two weeks ago, a jackpot of $3,400 was paid out to one lucky player.
“It’s really popular,” she said, adding it’s difficult to know how many people play each week, as some often will play more than one card. “Really hardcore bingo players, they can play a few different cards at the same time.”
Eight Island businesses have received money through the first round of Rotary donations, including $15,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottetown, which will help refurbish a school bus so children and youth will have the opportunity to participate in field trips.
The Children’s Wish Foundation of P.E.I. received $10,000 from the radio bingo fundraiser, which will support one complete wish for an Island child.
Other organizations that have received funding include the 55+ Games Society of P.E.I., the P.E.I. Business Women’s Association, Murphy’s Community Centre Charlottetown Teen Zone, Wild Child Forest School, the Alzheimer’s Association of P.E.I. and Elder Dog P.E.I.