By Chris Frost
EAGLE TIMES NEWS EDITOR
CLAREMONT — It was fun for a great cause on Sunday, as the Croydon Ladies Auxiliary’s bingo game drew a crowd having a big time.
The group holds games at noon each Wednesday and Sunday at the group’s clubhouse on Plains Road.
Croydon Ladies Auxiliary President Sandy Beard is also a gaming consultant and said the group raises money and donates it to area non-profit organizations.
“We do the Turning Points Network in Claremont, the Claremont Soup Kitchen,” Beard said. “In Newport, we donate to the Fire Department and the Senior Center.”
She said the Croydon Ladies Auxiliary has no prerequisite to join. All you do is sign up and have fun contributing to the community.
“We’ve been doing bingo for 45 years, long before me,” she said. “We have a lot of good payouts.”
Sandy looks forward to seeing all the people each week and loves seeing so many nice people come together.
She said the cost per Bingo card varies with the number of cards purchased. On Sunday, it was $25 per person.
“A lot of guys have joined,” she said saying they typically help with concessions and selling cards.
Devin Beard calls the games and says there is no strategy behind winning at bingo; it’s all luck.
“My grandmother is the president of the organization,” he said. “It’s been with the family for years, and I’ve grown into it. I have fun while I’m here. It’s like a second home to me.”
Mary Hayden loves Bingo and said she’s happy when she’s playing whether she wins or loses.
“I’ve won $100 a couple of times,” she said. “I don’t drive anymore, so I can only come when somebody picks me up. My friend likes bingo, so he brings me.”
For more information on the Croydon Ladies Auxiliary, visit them on Facebook. Doors open for Sunday games at noon and at 4 p.m. on Thursdays. The games start at 2 p.m. on Sundays and 6 p.m. Thursdays.
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