The Rotary Club of Welland held its third ‘annual’ Purse Bingo supported by 204 Bingo enthusiasts on Wednesday May 24^th at the John Michael’s Banquet and Event Centre. We were sponsored by several area businesses. The presenting Sponsor was Meridian Credit Union, the Dinner Sponsor was Root Bissonnette Walker LLP, with Best Western Rose City Suites, Seaway Mall, Youngs Insurance, and Vermeer’s Garden Centre providing sponsorship for various Bingo games and providing gift cards.

Chaired by Rotarian Lauren Gallaccio, there were 10 very happy winners of brand name purses, including Coach, Kate Spade and Michael Kors. We had an exciting special 11^th Bingo game to win a Gucci Purse valued at $2,200!  A 50:50 draw was held, with the winner, Susan Ferri, taking home $1,385.

It was a great evening of getting together to help raise funds for the Rotary Club of Welland’s community initiatives such as supporting the elementary school technology program, Niagara Children’s Centre, Pathstone’s River House in Welland, Notre Dame College School Special Education Classroom, Food4Kids, Kristen French Advocacy Centre, and the Rotary Gold Medallion Graduation Program for 7 area High Schools. Without community support, the Club wouldn’t be able to provide assistance to those in need.

Everyone had an enjoyable evening, especially the purse winners: Heather Thompson, Olivia Miller, Kaitlyn Migus, Susan Morrone, Stephanie Martino, Gloria Beres, Marjie Rylett, Trina Martell and Christine Dekker with Raven Mancini the winner of the Gucci Purse.

Thank you to all of the participants and congratulations to the many winners.