09/14/2025
So I mentioned the November Bingo, which was a hit last year! Last year's Bingo helped us bring in enough money to directly help 7 local kids the last year. First we helped a young lady purchase a light weight folding power chair. I know she was putting that to good use shortly after it arrived going to football games with her friends, and taking walks with her family.
Then we received an email from a social worker. There was a boy whose caregiver is a senior citizen, and insurance would not cover an electric sit to stand type lift. Insurance wanted this poor woman to use one of the old lever types. Anyone that has worked in healthcare knows how hard they are to use. We managed to find the exact sit to stand lift they were searching for at a certified used price from a dealer. The young man had his lift in about a week, and it is much safer for him and his care giver when getting him ready for his day.
Then came our biggest of the year. A family with 5 kids that use wheelchairs (yes you read that right, 5!), reached out. They were looking for a van that could transport the whole family. They went through all the hard work of locating a large wheelchair van that was in good shape and low mileage, at a decent price. They qualified for financing. They had raised some money from their own fundraiser and had some savings. They were still a little short on the down payment and thought they may need to use a credit card or Christmas money to get that van that is essential for them. We worked with the childrens' mother, and got set up with the dealer, and wired the rest of the money they needed for the down payment. That van has opened a world of possibilities for the entire family!
That is 7 kids that all of our supporters helped this year. 7 kids that will be able to stay more active, mobile, and independent. All right here in Columbia and Montour counties. When we say that our charity helps right here locally, we mean it.
For an added bonus, over the summer we were approached by a young man who was in the planning phase of his Eagle Scout project. He was planning on building accessible planter boxes at the Bloomsburg YMCA so that the differently abled could garden without having to twist at odd angles in a wheelchair, or bend over to reach ground level. We loved the idea! So we gave him a $200 sponsorship to make his project a reality. We're happy to say, if you stop by the Bloomsburg YMCA, you will see Wesley Rosler's accessible planter boxes standing proudly by the main entrance!
When we post about our Wendy's Community Nights, "give back" nights at local restaurants, and ask for donations or sponsorships...those things may cost you $10 or $20. But they make a world of difference in these kids lives. When you purchase a $20 Bingo ticket, and come purchase food or raffle items...you get a fun afternoon and a chance to win prizes. Even if you don't win anything at all, you are spending $20 to come hang out with a lot of good people, and directly impact our community.
If you came to our Bingo last year, we'd love to have you again. If you couldn't make it to the last Bingo, please consider coming to this one. Bring your friends and family! If you want to help, but dont like Bingo, feel free to make a donation, or come volunteer to help us the day of the event. We can always use help selling tickets at the door, helping people with walkers, canes, or wheelchairs to carry food back to their seats, directing people toward restrooms, or selling raffle tickets or special games. We would love to have you in any way your are able!
