By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

American Legion Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 held a bingo game on Aug. 20 that benefited both posts.

About 110 bingo players came out for the games, with each game promising a minimum of $100 in prize money. In addition to the 10 games, players could bid on silent auction items, purchase food and buy tickets to the 50/50 raffle. Members of Prom Plus Club were on hand to help with the festivities. Doors opened at 4:30 p.m. with the first game, called by CV Weekly publisher Robin Goldsworthy, starting at 6 p.m.

This year marked the ninth Veterans Bingo Night in 10 years and, probably due to COVID, there was a reduction of about 50% in attendees from 2019 said veteran Lynn McGinnis, organizer of the event.

“Given the recent return to the indoor mask mandate we were happy with the 110 bingo players who showed up,” McGinnis said.

The reduction in the number of attendees was also reflected in the amount of money the vets made with just under $5,000 being raised for veterans and active duty enlisted men and women in the Crescenta Valley.

Over the years, the AL and VFW posts have helped 14 youth and community non-profits (some once and others multiple times) hold 41 fundraising bingo nights. Each bingo night raised an average of $4,500 for these 14 non-profits that are important parts of the fabric of the community. They include Montrose La Crescenta Kiwanis Club, La Cañada AM Kiwanis Club, La Cañada Noon Kiwanis Club, Glendale Kiwanis Club, Prom Plus, CVHS Football Boosters Club, CVHS JROTC, Verdugo Hills Council Scouts BSA, CV Chamber of Commerce, CV Fireworks, CV Sheriff’s Support Group, Glendale Quilt Guild and the La Crescenta Woman’s Club.

The AL and VFW posts support a variety of local organizations and community events including the Armed Forces Day Classic Car Show held in mid-May at CV Park, the Memorial Day of Remembrance at Two Strike Park, the Veterans Day ceremony and celebration at Two Strike Park, Firefighters’ Breakfast at Memorial Hall and Law Enforcement Breakfast at Memorial Hall and the upcoming Remembrance Motorcade being held on Sept. 10.

Local veterans and active military personnel are invited to an upcoming breakfast at Memorial Hall on Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. From Sept. 11 until Veterans Day on Nov. 11, a “low-key” membership drive will be taking place.

Photos by Dick CLUBB