HEAVY SNOW, POOR DRIVING CONDITIONS DIDN’T STOP OCO OPENING MIDWEEK BINGO

Whitby, Jan 07th:  No snow storm, unbelievable poor driving conditions couldn’t stop the Optimist Club of Oshawa members first mid-week bingo in 28 years of fundraising. The OCO embarked on a new Bingo format schedule effect to-day for 2009. For the past twenty eight years the OCO operated bi-monthly Saturday Night Bingo’s  however requested a long awaited switch to mid-week day time hours. Having a weekoff after a couple of decades for our dedicated volunteers was a excellent change. Our initial date proved to be a questionable decision as road conditions proved almost inpassable.

Ever since profit sharing was introduced our OCO members collectively requested a switch of dates to midweek daytime hours. The Saturday prime time slot was no longer a benifit in our fundraising effort to help the Oshawa Youth and Community since revenue sharing.

Recently our request was accepted by the HCA (Hideaway Charties Association). We now are in charge of weekly Wednesday midday back to back twin Bingos. We operate from 10:00 am (A Moosehead style) immediately folowed by a 12 Noon regular style bingo. By accepting this challenge the actual working hours Saturday vs Wednesay if the same. Major different we now received double payment of profit sharing.

Our initial kickoff was a challenge as a old fashion bitter blowing snow storm prevailed. Bingo players are a loyal/hearty bunch as eleven players appeared “Ready To Play” spending a average of $35.36 each dispite the unbelievable driving conditions, unploughed driveways and parking lots.

OCO bingo chair Jim Shaw reported one of volunteers couldn’t get out of his own drive way as the drifting and blowing snow made him household bound. As a result Optimist Stephen Hambley placed a emergency call into his parents Bill/Betty for as call for help.  Good ole mom prevailed clearing her schedule to help out. She proved to be a welcome, reliable addition.

Our second back to back bingo, 63 players attended as both the conditions – inside and outside improved drastically.

Each charity must supply three helpers for each event. One of the paid hall runners was forced to walk to work and was late reporting by 45 minutes.

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