Bingo: Charities earn $1.4 million through bingo
Local charities hit the bingo jackpot Friday at the Boardwalk Gaming Centre in Barrie.
Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll presented the charities with $1,448,972, money they raised over the past year.
"I
want to thank the volunteers because the result of your work and the
impact your work has on so many charities here in Barrie is
astounding," she said.
The money was raised through the charity bingo program at the Boardwalk Gaming Centre.
The bingo centre is one of four across the province, part of a pilot project to help preserve and enhance charity bingo.
Through
the project, charities volunteer their time at the bingo centre and
receive a percentage of the revenue taken in from the bingo games.
"It's
really the people here, the volunteers who have done all this work to
raise the money, (and) support the local charities in Barrie," he said.
"One of our greatest industries in Barrie is volunteers. This is proof
of it."
Sarah Major from Deaf Access Simcoe said the money raised through the bingo is always appreciated by their organization.
Carol Ellis from Lions Club of Barrie said not only is bingo a great fundraiser, it's fun, too.
"It's fun to play bingo, easy to play. We don't keep any of the money we raise. It all goes to major projects in the community."
John Ellis said the bingo program is an amazing way
for any charity to get the funds they need. "We work every second
Sunday night, and we make between $700 and $900 in two hours worth of
work," he said.
Members of the Barrie Bingo Sponsors Association include Crime Stoppers, the Kiwanis Club of Barrie, Furry Friends Animal Shelter, Barrie Music Festival, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health, Gryphon Theatre and a number of sports organizations and local schools.
Written by Leigh Blenkhorn
www.barrieadvance.com
