The Rotary Club of Welland held its fourth ‘annual’ Purse Bingo supported by 250 Bingo enthusiasts on Wednesday May 2^nd at the John Michael’s Banquet and Event Centre. This was an increase of almost 50 bingo players! We were sponsored by several area businesses. The Luxury Purse Bingo Game Sponsor was Meridian Credit Union (Welland Branch), the Dinner Sponsors were RBW Root Bissonnette Walker LLP, Vermeer’s Garden Centre & Flower Shop, and M. T. Bellies, with Best Western Rose City Suites, Seaway Mall, Niagara Business Valuation, and B&D CPAs providing sponsorships for various Bingo games and providing gift cards.

Co-Chaired by Rotarians Lauren Gallaccio and Don Thorpe, 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 $1,000!  A 50:50 draw was held, with the winner, Seth Villani taking home $1,955.

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 Niagara Children’s Centre Welland YMCA Satellite location, Pathstone’s River House in Welland, Spring It Forward Food Drive, Food4Kids Niagara, The HOPE Centre, Holy Trinity Church Breakfast Program, Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital (Stryker Bed jointly with other area Rotary Clubs) 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: Michelle Odaisky, Pam Duncan, Carol Wade, Lisa Chevalier Rose Federinko, Antonette Battista, Kristen Dallaire, Megan Warankie, Lisa Caporuscio, Seth Villani, with Rose Fredeninko the winner of the Gucci Purse.

Thank you to all of the participants and congratulations to the many winners. A special thank you to our generous Sponsors.

Gucci Purse Winner photo : L – Rotarian & Game Sponsor  (Meridian Credit Union) Geri Morrone, R – Winner Rose Frederinko