Hot Springs Lions Club hosts fundraiser
Jay Erchul calls a number during an OGNIB game Sunday night during the Hot Springs Lions Club fundraiser in the Hot Springs School multi-purpose room.
Ashlynn Rexus, left, and Jamason Harris show the snacks they were selling during the OGNIB fundraiser. Sales that they and their teammates raised help fund the Lutheran and Presbyterian United Church after-school program in Hot Springs.
“What was that number? I was distracted!” That could be what 7-month-old Kason Ludeman was thinking while holding an OGNIB card during the Hot Springs Lions Club fundraiser Sunday in the Hot Springs School multi-purpose room. You’re never too young to learn to play OGNIB, as Kason showed. (Joe Sova photos/Clark Fork Valley Press)
CHARLES PATTON draws a playing card from Hot Springs Lions Club member Lawrence Walchuk during the OGNIB fundraiser Sunday. Patton was the winner of one of the games and took home a turkey. Also pictured is OGNIB player Keith Joiner and Lions member Valerie Sidmore.
Hot Springs Lions Club members Lawrence Walchuk and Valerie Sidmore check a winning card during the OGNIB fundraiser hosted by the local club. Dave Hanson is in the background.
The multi-purpose room at Hot Springs School was filled to capacity during the Hot Springs Lions Club’s OGNIB fundraiser Sunday. Club member Lawrence Walchuk said he counted 140 people playing OGNIB, a new wrinkle on BINGO. It was a “big turnout,” Walchuk said.
Lions Club International chapters around the world have a great reputation for serving communities in need, and the Hot Springs Lions Club got excellent support during their OGNIB fundraiser Sunday afternoon and evening at Hot Springs School. The multi-purpose room was filled to capacity as game players vied to take home items that filled the stage.
There were not one, but three winners in each OGNIB game played, and they collected food such as turkeys and many of the supplies needed for a fine Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday.
Randy Giese, Hot Springs Lions Club member and past president, said many of the items available during the OGNIB games were donated by area businesses, and much of the food was purchased at cost from a Hot Springs grocer.
He was elated with the number of people who came to support the Lions Club and have a chance to take home one or more prizes.
“It’s more than we’ve had the last couple of years,” Giese said of the fundraiser. “We had good weather, and it was a good turnout.”
Another Lions Club member, Lawrence Walchuk, said he counted 140 people at the OGNIB tables about halfway through the event.
According to Giese, the fundraiser helps raise money to assist low-income families by purchasing eyeglasses and hearing aids for youth in need.
The draw to stay for the entire fundraiser was that there was a drawing for a ladies Ruger 380 pistol with holster, plus a gun safety class at no charge.
Giese shared that the Hot Springs Lions Club has been involved in a number of community projects, such as refurbishing the town’s Christmas decorations and helping the Town of Hot Springs put them in place. The club will also provide between 200 and 250 Christmas baskets for students at the holiday concert coming up next month. Santa Claus will make a special appearance at the convert to personally give out the baskets.