By Kevin McCall
reporter@highlandsnews.com
The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley will be hosting a Bingo Fundraiser later this month to help with the goal of raising funds while also providing plenty of fun and excitement at the same time. The fundraiser will be held on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. at the Slopeside Tavern.
“It’s the first one that we’ve ever done,” said Karen Fenner Sullivan, president of the Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley. “We’re going to have them on the fourth Thursday of every month.”
Sullivan said that proceeds to the fundraiser will be distributed to charities tied to the organization and student education, which include Blue Ridge Early College and Summit Charter School.
“They both have an Interact Club,” she said. “Every year we send students who make applications and qualify as leaders in their community and school to the Rotary Youth Leadership Award event,” she said.
Additionally, proceeds will also go to disaster relief efforts for those affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and other people in need.
According to Jessica Rogers, a member of the Rotary’s Board of Directors bingo cards will be $15 each for 15 games, and there will be 100 cards in total.
“I will mostly be doing the calling of the numbers unless any of my fellow Rotarians wish to do so,” she said.
In addition to the fun provided by an exciting game of Bingo, the Rotary will also be hosting a weekly raffle, with tickets being $5 each, or 5 for $20. Prizes will be announced.
Those interested in joining the fundraiser are free to join and are encouraged to arrive early as space may be limited.
Sullivan expressed that she hopes that people will learn more about Rotary through the fundraiser, which could help build awareness to what it stands for and what it does for the community.
“I think it reflects the fun that we have in our efforts to be to provide service throughout the community,” she said. “I think it reflects our determination over the years. With COVID, our numbers have fallen, and we’re building back and we want people to know that we’re here, we’re action oriented, we’re a fun group, and our number one goal is service above self.”