Punk Rock Bingo, every Wednesday at the Flying Steamshovel, has raised well over $2,000 for its Rossland Family Relief Fund (RFRF) since bingo kicked off again for this winter last Dec. 8.
A total of $1,091 was donated last week to a young girl in town suffering from a rare genetic disorder, said Jenn Wood, the Steamshovel’s office manager.
The girl faces many trips to Vancouver, and the money should “help out with all her costs there,” Wood said.
“It’s not just through bingo,” Wood added, “but the lucky top prize winner of the Super Bowl pool also donated their $100 winnings.”
Earlier this year, RFRF donated $1,300 to the residents of Nelson’s historic Kerr apartments that burned to the ground, in addition to $700 donated from Steamshovel coffers.
Wood reported that the $2,000 was spent on food and lodging through the Salvation Army.
“We definitely want to keep funds in Rossland,” Wood said, “but we flet like at that time it was the right thing to do. There were a large number of people who needed a substantial amount of help.”
“We’re always looking for new families to help, new ideas,” she continued. “Anyone can come forward to toss ideas at us. We’re looking for every opportunity possible to give back to the community and help out in any way we can.”
“Bingo’s been amazing,” Wood said, “one of our biggest nights of the week. It’s a lot of fun, and tons of great prizes. It’s definitely something we’re going to run season after season.”
Wednesday nights are crammed at the Steamshovel as tables overflow with beer, burgers, and bingo cards — $3 for one, $5 for three. And patrons are occasionally treated to tantalizing passages from dirty novels read by players who call a false bingo.
“Rosie [Symington], Si [Rich], and Katie [Rice], sure pump the heck out of it!” Wood added. “They really work hard at getting the room full through word of mouth and advertising.”
Thanking prize donors such as RossVegas, Mountain Nugget, Adrenaline Adventures and others, Wood said, “everyone’s banding together to make it a successful show.”
She was sure not to miss a mention of Chris Bowman, general manager for the Steamshovel. “He pounds the pavement, he works really hard at getting most of the prizes.”
Si Rich added, “Most of all, thanks to everyone who keeps coming down week after week to play Bingo!”