[Press Release - The Daily Courier] The Boys & Girls Club of Prescott was looking for a sustained source of income to support the organization. Something they could rely on weekly, which would consistently bring in a crowd. And they found it.
Casey Knight, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Prescott, said a board member suggested the club have weekly bingo sessions.”After doing some research, we realized that we’d found (the perfect solution),” Knight said. The club has been offering bingo on Saturdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club at 335 E. Aubrey St. in Prescott for the past six weeks, and Knight said that attendance grows each week. “I hope the community embraces it, because it’s a great way to support the kids,” she added.
Kiwanis donated bingo equipment for the Boys & Girls Club in order to provide a fun family activity and create a steady revenue source, said Kathleen Gillis, publicity chair for the Kiwanis Club of Prescott.
Saturday afternoon, about 40 people enjoyed the competitive atmosphere while visiting with friends.
“We like to come as a group and play; it’s a social time out for us and our friends,” said Susie Phillips. “And we want to support the Boys & Girls Club, too,” said Noreen Foster.
Saul Fein, a caller for bingo at the Boys & Girls Club, motioned toward the room bustling with people and said, “We usually have a good turnout like this each time.”
Sally Weintraub, who had a number of bingo cards in front of her Saturday, said, “I just love bingo, and I love supporting the Boys & Girls Club.”
Fein said they make sure they pace the game well for experienced players as well as for beginners.
“This is the first time we’ve come here,” said Ed Schmit, noting they were there to help the Boys & Girls Club.
“These times you need all the help you can get,” Marie Schmit said.
Knight noted that the fully computerized system checks the serial numbers on the bingo cards to verify wins, that the television screen shows the numbers as they are called and also previews the next ball that comes up.
“It’s an elaborate and professional process,” Knight said. “This is not church-basement bingo.”
Knight noted that the people there on Saturday “have a great time and help support the youth of Yavapai County.”
Marilyn Berg, who was there Saturday with her friends, agreed.
“I like supporting the Boys & Girls Club. For the people here, it’s a good way to get together and have a few laughs,” Berg said. “We just enjoy the people here.”
Community members can also support the work done by the Kiwanis organization by bidding on items during the 63rd annual auction of the Kiwanis Clubs of Prescott and Bradshaw Mountain.
During the auction, which continues until Friday, donated items are sold to raise money for nonprofit organizations that serve children and do service projects in the Prescott area.
A number of local organizations benefit from the auction, including the YRMC Children’s Speech Therapy Center, the Kiwanis Bradshaw Pines Camp, Salvation Army, Little League Baseball, Youth Soccer, Yavapai Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Prescott Child Development Center, Yavapai Family Advocacy Center, the new skate park in Prescott, and the Kiwanis Kids Korner at the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, among many others.
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