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Rotarians seek help in preserving online bingo
A made-in-the-Kootenays/Columbia fundraising sensation is still facing its demise with the conclusion of 2022 as a pandemic gaming rules easement is being halted by the B.C. government.
Since April 2020, Rotary Clubs from throughout the Kootenays and Columbia-Shuswap have staged Rotary Online Bingo. A rapid success, initiated by Golden Rotary, Online Bingo has in the past two years provided more than $1.4 million for clubs to disperse to various community needs and causes.
Additionally, it placed almost $1.8 million into the bank accounts of lucky winners, a great many whom call the East Kootenay home.
With that success in mind, Rotarians are asking B.C.’s Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch and the minister in charge of gaming, Selina Robinson, to consider changing policy for rural purposes.
Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok have been asked to help reach out to Minister Robinson.
Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club member Penny Coyle penned a letter outlining the value of the fundraising bingo, noting its social value as well as financial.
“The bingo is so much more than just a game. It is Rotarians and players all coming together for an evening of fun, conversation (even though it is a chat platform) and maybe even to win a little bit of money. Players have shared and liked our posts and local media has promoted us. The players have formed their own friendships to the point of helping each other out in times of need with never even having met,” she said.
“The connections made by this bingo community have benefited so many people. The stories that come back to our group are heartwarming and have brought tears to our eyes many times. The game has made me as Rotarian learn more about Rotary, the other Rotary clubs in our area and Rotarian moderators. I have made friends that will last me a lifetime both with the Rotarians and the online bingo players.”
Coyle explained Rotary Community Online Bingo was started by the Rotary Club of Golden and the Ehman family in April 2020.
“They started the bingo to give people something to do and look forward to during COVID. They also wanted to help their community with proceeds being given to local businesses. In October 2020 the bingo grew, and Kootenays Rotary Clubs joined Golden until there was a total of 16 clubs.”
The success of the bingo, made accessible for all due to the online format backed by the pandemic allowance enabling fundraising organizations to scan and email bingo cards to players, is staggering when one considers the funds raised and dispersed mostly all come from the Kootenays and Columbia-Shuswap.
“When I was doing the numbers up, I was amazed at what we have accomplished to date. When you look at the numbers and see amount that has gone out to the local clubs you see the benefit to each of our communities,” Coyle said in her letter, which contains eye-popping figures.
The number from when bingo started in April 2020 until October 14, 2022 are as follows:
Total revenue $4,049,070;
Total player payout $1,796,474;
Total proceeds to clubs $1,474,892.
“As a group (all Rotary Clubs involved) we have made three large group donations totalling $70,000; Joanna’s House $50,000, Betty White – SPCA $10,000 and Ronald McDonald House $10,000,” Coyle highlighted.
“Thank you to the Golden Rotary Club and Ehman Family for starting this. Thank you to all the players who have supported us and thank you to the 16 Rotary Clubs who have worked to make this something that no one would ever believe possible. This group of Rotarians and players have made me proud to say that I am a Rotarian,” she said.
Lead image: Cranbrook Rotary and Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club members Nancy Rogers and Penny Coyle with a $10,000 bingo proceeds cheque for Blue Lake Forest Education Society. Photos submitted by Rotary
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
