By Mary O’KEEFE

The first post pandemic bingo in Crescenta Valley occurred last Saturday at the Verdugo Hills Memorial Hall, where the American Legion Post 288 meets.

There were over 125 people in attendance, daubers at the ready, eager to claim one of several $100 prizes.

“This was the first [post-pandemic] bingo of the year and it was phenomenal,” said Steve Pierce, executive director of the CV Chamber of Commerce, the non-profit benefitting from the game. The CV Chamber sponsored the bingo fundraiser, which was organized and run by members of Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] Post 1614.

“Everyone had a great time,” Pierce said. “I think people just wanted to get back to [some kind of] normalcy.”

The event was a fundraiser that helps support the Chamber and its high school scholarship program. Pierce said they were happily surprised by the turnout.

“Two weeks ago we had 40 tickets sold so we thought maybe we would get 75 people [attending],” he said. “It was beyond our expectations.”

Those in attendance were excited about playing; two people each won two different games, which Pierce said is against all odds. He said the Chamber was very happy with all the sponsors, including State Senator Anthony Portantino, who stepped up to help.

Other nonprofits are ready to hold their own bingo fundraisers; all are being organized by veterans of American Legion Post 288 and VFW Post 1614. On July 24, the Verdugo Hills Council, Boy Scouts of America invites the community to its game.

According to Amy Taylor, district director, the event could not be possible without the help of the Charter’s partners, community members and businesses that are sponsoring games.

“It is the Verdugo Hills Council’s first live fundraiser [this year] for Scouts in the community,” she said. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 for 2,000 Scouts that we currently serve in our council.”

The game is being held at the Elks Lodge, 120 E. Colorado St. in Glendale. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the first game is at 6:30 p.m. There will be raffle items and a 50/50 drawing. Dinner will be available for purchase. Tickets for the game are $20 and available at the door or online at www.vhcbsa.org/bingo7-24.

Sometimes the veterans host bingo games at their lodge at 4011 La Crescenta Ave., and other times travel to locations with their bingo organizational talents.

On Aug. 20 a bingo fundraiser is scheduled that will benefit the American Legion Post 288. It will be held at Healy Hall, on the grounds of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2411 Montrose Ave. The funds raised will allow them to assist veterans and families during the holidays.

The veterans also have several other bingo events planned in October benefitting the Glendale Quilt Guild and the La Crescenta Woman’s Club.

  american legion, bingo, Mary Okeefe