By Sarah Wilson
Staff Writer
It seems everyone loves to take a chance. The thrill of putting money down for a chance to win even more.
Or maybe it’s just for the socializing and love of the game.
Either way, Bingo has been, and continues to be, the most popular form of fundraising for area volunteer fire departments.
Margaret Vandeveer, chairperson of the Roanoke-Wildwood bingo committee, said the idea to use bingo as a fundraiser belonged to the department’s ladies auxiliary. "It provides entertainment for a number of people and elderly people who live close by. We keep it at a family atmosphere," she said.
Bob Smith, president of the fire company said Bingo is more than just a fundraiser.
"At our department, it’s a social event. We don’t start calling numbers until 7:30 p.m., but people come as early as 5:30 p.m. just to catch up and shoot the breeze with one another."
Roanoke-Wildwood shows concern for its bingo players, even when the weather is bad. "When the weather is bad, I contact people to let them know we are canceling. One man in Warrenton [William Brown] was especially appreciative and said ‘I love coming. It’s so different from other Bingos I’ve been to. The atmosphere is warm and caring, and I look forward to coming every Thursday,’" said Margaret.
Although the turn out for Bingo night at Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department varies, the department holds it religiously every Thursday night all year long. The department has been holding Bingo night for about 25 years.
Over the past quarter of a decade, Roanoke-Wildwood has found Bingo to be a huge success.
"I think people like to take a chance with Bingo, something to look forward to every week, and a reason to get out and have fun," said Margaret Vandeveer.
Bingo winners receive money and prizes. The proceeds from the event goes toward purchasing new equipment and supplies for the fire company.
Vandeveer said Bingo will continue to be a prominent fundraiser for Roanoke-Wildwood department.
"I must say that our players can see that we are honest people. When I was asked to take chairmanship of the fundraiser, I said the only way I would consider taking the position is if it was honestly run."
Joan Santasieri, a Lake Gaston area resident for the past 11 years and a regular at Roanoke-Wildwood Bingo nights for the past decade, said she’s always supported local fire departments by playing in their Bingo fundraisers.
"They work very hard at this fire house," she said. "The bingo committee isgreat. The people that come here have been coming a long time."
Echoing comments from fire company president Bob Smith, she sees that it is quite the social event. "It’s great to come here and catch up with friends and forget about life’s stress."
Forgetting about life’s stresses has been a little bit easier of late, at least on Bingo nights, Her friends say she is lucky in the game, and just two weeks ago she won the fire departments Bingo jackpot of $500.
Shirley Crisman is another long-time Bingo player at Roanoke-Wildwood, playing regularly since 1982. For her, it’s close to home so she can play almost every week.
"I like to get out and have a good time with my friends," she said.
Gasburg Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia has just started using Bingo as a fundraiser. The department is holding Bingo nights twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays. Gasburg opens the doors at 5:30 p.m. and begins calling numbers at 6:30 p.m.
"We just started our regular bingo on February 7, but we have been doing Longaberger Basket Bingos for the past three years. And they have made us very good money," said Beth Woodard of the Gasburg department.
"Everyone likes to play bingo and it’s also a lot of fun. It’s a very popular game. I think that is why a lot of departments tend to choose Bingo as a fundraiser," said Woodard.
So far, Bingo has proved to be a success for the Gasburg volunteer fire department. The department’s first Bingo night brought in 45 players, while the second brought 65.
"I guess word is getting out, so we hope that we have more and more every month," Woodard said.
Although Gasburg only holds Bingo two nights a month, the folks there hope the popularity of it will grow enough to eventually hold it every week. The department has a positive outlook that Bingo will grow to be a very successful fundraiser for them.
Several prizes are given out to the Bingo winners, each in certain categories. Players between the ages of 20 and 40 receive $25 per game won. Players forty-one and up receive $40 per game won.
Gasburg Volunteer Fire Company hopes to be able to add on to its current building as well as purchase more fire equipment with the money earned from their Bingo nights.