Beneficial Bingo

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: April 2023

Fun and fellowship combine to benefit Plateau nonprofits when The Rotary Club of Highlands hosts bingo nights. Held monthly at the Highlands Community Building next to the ballfield, bingo events adhere to North Carolina’s State Bingo regulations so that attendees experience a true, competitive, but entertaining activity. The Rotary Club of Highlands member Bob Baxter coordinates the club’s calendar and notes, “Bingo is also a chance to support our community nonprofits, win a little cash, and sometimes prizes as well.” Each bingo session focuses on and supports a different nonprofit. Attending The Rotary Club of Highlands bingo night enables residents and visitors to learn more about each beneficiary organization. In fact, each spotlighted beneficiary organization typically raises money from sponsors that support their mission, explained Baxter. “During the bingo night event, these sponsors are recognized on the tables.” He added, “It takes about seven Rotarian volunteers to work at each bingo night event as logistics, promotion, working with the nonprofits, and more is involved.” Rotary bingo events are planned way in advance, but each one is held on a Thursday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Capacity at the Highlands Community Building is around 100, with an average of 60 participating in each bingo event. On Thursday, May 11, the Counseling Center will be the beneficiary. Baxter, who’s an executive coach at Clear & Present in Highlands, pointed out, “The Center serves the Plateau with therapists on a sliding scale for those who need financial assistance.” Offered Leslie Manning, executive director of the Counseling Center, “May is National Mental Health Month, so on May 11 we’re looking forward to ‘Beeing Kind’ through Bingo and serving up bee-themed food and prizes! ‘Bee’ sure to stay tuned!” Thursday, June 29th’s bingo session supports the Gordon Center for Children, which – as its mission statement identifies – “promotes the cognitive, physical, emotional, social and spiritual development of the children in a warm and safe environment.”  July 27 is for the Scaly Mountain Women’s Club, which provides educational scholarships; October 26 is for Wreaths Across America, which exists to distribute wreaths on military graves; and, December 7 is for Shop with A Cop, which involves law enforcement and first responders providing Christmas shopping opportunities for underprivileged children. For more information about upcoming bingo events, contact Bob Baxter at [email protected], or visit highlandsrotary.org and click on “events.”
by Deena Bouknight