Along with Normand Legere, the person in charge, and Eileen O’Shea, his able assistant, BINGO became a steady event to support the school. Today, Mr. John Donaldson and his family have taken the torch to continue these efforts. There are faithful parish and parent volunteers that help run Bingo every week. Volunteer work towards school fundraisers is a vital component of the success of the school and helps to keep our subsidized rate of tuition sustainable. Bingo is one of many volunteer opportunities for families wishing to meet their volunteer commitment hours. Don't forget to sign up here, and log your hours here.
The commitment of all the volunteers, both parishioners and parents/family members of students, to helping at our Bingo games is vital to the success of this weekly event. Callers, ticket sellers, money counters, and verifiers are needed every week in order for the school to realize a donation of $100,000 each year. When there are not enough workers, profits go down.
Volunteers can easily sign up to help at Bingo here or you can contact our parent/family volunteer coordinator, Mrs. Meghan Greigtardiff, at volunteer@holyfamilyacademyma.org.
We appreciate your support!
History:
Weekly Bingo (or Beano, as identified by the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission) began in 1972 in the State of Massachusetts. The first one in the City of Gardner was held at Holy Rosary on February 8, 1972. Over the years one could find Bingo at eight different locations during the week (Holy Rosary, Sacred Heart, Knights of Columbus, Royal Cadets, Acadien Club, Elks, American Legion, and Gardner High School). Today the only one left is at Holy Rosary Church on Thursday nights.
Monsignor Sirois’s goal was to make $30k/year from this fundraiser. The first year, and every year since, more than $50,000 has been realized, all for the benefit of the school. Four hundred people attended that first Bingo in 1972. Once the casinos came to Connecticut in 2000, attendance declined somewhat. Today 135-150 people still attend on an average evening. Years ago volunteers began offering food. They started with donuts and slowly went to sandwiches. Today an outside vendor even offers a small hot meal item.
Normand Legere has been running our Bingo nights from the beginning. Originally it took one year to learn and understand the rules and regulations of the game. On Sundays he would take seminars so that he could run the games weekly. Occasionally the lottery commission auditors come to verify that the games are running according to the laws of the state. Normand always makes sure that the books are in order and up-to-date. A HUGE THANK YOU should be given to Normand for his dedication to this fundraiser since 1972. There were times over the years that he would start his vacation the day following Bingo and be back the following week. AMAZING!
Thank you to all the people who come weekly to support the school!