MARYSVILLE — It wasn’t Soroptimist International of Marysville’s first Bunco fundraiser, but it was their first Bunco night in the Marysville American Legion Post 178 Hall on Thursday, Nov. 14, and the event’s new venue proved so successful that the group is already planning to return to the Legion Hall for another session of Bunco on Feb. 13 of next year.
“We generated $880 in ticket money and $93 in raffle money from 44 people,” said Renae James, former president of Soroptimist International of Marysville. “This was one of our bigger crowds.”
Since this Bunco session had a tailgating theme, many attendees were sporting football jerseys in response to organizers’ call for them to wear sports fan attire. James reported that the evening’s activities were accompanied by no shortage of convivial conversations, hearty laughter and delicious food, as even the 10 players who were new to the game managed to get up to speed after the first round.
“It’s pretty easy,” James said. “All you have to do is be able to roll the dice and count.”
Elaine Hanson, one of the Board members of Soroptimist International of Marysville for 2013-14, deemed the event “a fun night of fundraising,” which will reinvest much of its monies into supporting local organizations and programs whose mission statements revolve around helping community members in need, in addition to donating toward international projects devoted to aiding women and girls.
“Most of the money we earn goes back to the community,” said Hanson, who reported that checks were presented that night for $1,500 to Mike Mulligan, representing the Marysville Community Food Bank, and for $1,000 to Stephanie Price, representing the Food Bank’s Toy Store for the winter holidays. “We usually include presentations of money donations to community groups during our Bunco events. That way, our guests can see firsthand where their own donations will be going.”
Hanson and James both offered special thanks to Marge Due and Jackie Van Assche for the “great job” they did in chairing this session of Bunco.
“The Soroptimist ladies are always looking for other community-minded ladies who would like to be part of this amazing organization,” Hanson said. “There is power in numbers, as we combine our time, talents and resources to help others.”
“I’m also proud to be part of such an amazing organization,” James said. “It’s very rewarding to see how our collective hard work and contributions have helped so many people. We appreciate everyone who came out to play Bunco, which supported not only our fundraiser, but their own community as well.”
For more information about Soroptimist International of Marysville, which recently marked three decades of service in the local community, log onto its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SIMarysville.
