Thursday, April 9 | Benefitting Highlands School Interact Club
The word Bingo debuted in our American vocabulary about a hundred years ago.
Since then, after a zillion Lucky Sevens and Man Alives, the shout of “Bingo!” has become an iconic Hallelujah.
Bingo Night is not only an evening full of Lucky Sevens – it’s also a way to raise money for charity. The Rotary Club makes that happen once a month. This month, Rotary, the group celebrated for “Service Above Self,” supports the Highlands School’s Interact Club, Rotary International’s service organization for young people ages 12–18. Interact Club is serving as this month’s Bingo sponsor.
The Interact Club completes two (and often more) annual projects: one for the local community and another focused on international awareness.
Tracy Stribling, Rotary’s resource guide, helps students organize their projects. She says, “Students research and plan a financial gift for those in need in the world – health, education, clean water, etc.”
Among their local interactions are distributing Halloween candy to local businesses, road cleanup, Shop With A Cop, the Christmas Tree lighting, and more. Funding from Bingo helps support their international project, Valentine gifts, and the Book Fair.
In addition, Interact honors their senior grads. They purchase gift boxes from Kilwin’s and present them to senior Interact members – a reminder that “you’re still part of us.”
In addition to senior gifts and April Bingo, they contribute to the biannual Book Fair.
“Local kids whose parents can’t afford participation are paired off, $20 per student, to purchase their favorite reads,” says Tracy. “I loved Book Fair days. We just want all the kids to continue to participate. This is what we learn from what we get from Bingo. We make money, then recycle it. Our projects are based on – raise money / reinvest money / repeat.”
As evidence, Tracy provides service far above her own self. She even participates with other emcees in Bingo calling.
Rotary’s efforts are strengthened by dedicated volunteers, including Rotarian Marci Sherwood, who help make each Bingo Night run smoothly. Support from Highlands School is equally invaluable, with Nicole Lui and Nicole Garrett lending their time and enthusiasm to ensure Interact students shine.
Rotary and Interact encourage their friends and community to get involved. And what better way to make a difference in the world than by having fun at Bingo Night?
Check out the Rotary calendar and The Laurel calendar to see what’s on the horizon. Don’t miss this month: April 9, 6:30 to 8:30 P.M., at Highlands Community Center. Be there and help make the community, and the world, just a little bit better because you, too, practiced Service Above Self.
Favorites Count: 0