By Kathy L. Collins
If you live in the SouthShore and love BINGO, then check out the weekly BINGO games sponsored by Extend-A-Hand Association held every Tuesday evening at the Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 located at 5120 U.S. Hwy 41 N in Ruskin. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the BINGO fun begins at 6 p.m.
Each week, there is a new program and new prize board. Coming up on Tuesday, April 16, you won’t want to miss the BINGO Pajama Party and Slipper Contest! There will be prizes for the funniest slippers and something for the prettiest.
All BINGO games pay $50. There are three $250 jackpots. You can play up to 21 cards for just $20. In addition, there is the new Fireball Pull Tab BINGO game. Progressive jackpots start at $500. A guaranteed $100 prize if there is no hit on the Fireball number.
The Extend-A-Hand Association is a local non-profit, registered as a 501 ( c) (3) in the state of Florida. Donations and contributions made to the Extend-A-Hand Association are tax deductible.
For 35 years, its members have strived to perform community service in the form of monetary donations to those in need as well as in kind services such as tutoring and providing backpacks to underprivileged children.
John Zilba is a board member with the Extend-A-Hand Association. Zilba said,” We try to do as much as we can locally. All money raised stays in Hillsborough County.” Zilba further explained, “We recently raised $1600 for a family who lost their home to fire.” Zilba estimates that the Extend-A-Hand Association gives out $12,000 to $15,000 on an annual basis. The money is raised through the BINGO games as well as from donations and contributions.
According to Zilba, “Holding the BINGO games at the Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287 is a win-win for everyone involved. We have a place to hold the games and raise money for those in need, and the VFW has a permanent rent paying customer which helps support them.”
If you would like more information on the BINGO games offered and on the Extend-A-Hand Association’s mission, please contact Zilba at 727-804-6137.
