–by Mary Helen Darah
PUBLICATION DATE: Sep 14, 2020
A sold out crowd attended last year’s Designer Purse Bingo, sponsored by the Sylvania Lions Club. Due to the pandemic, the group could not accommodate the crowd of over 250 at the Elks Lodge in Sylvania. The Lions were considering canceling when one of the members had a creative idea that would allow the event to continue. “With so many fund-raising events having to be postponed or cancelled, we were trying to think outside the box for a unique way to still hold our Designer Purse Bingo event,” recalled Sylvania Lion Jan Tidd. “One of our members remembered being at a campground where all the campers drove their golf carts to the main lodge and played bingo with the game winners honking their horns and flashing their lights and a ‘lightbulb moment’ was born.”
Sylvania Lions Club members Jim Collins, Bill Niejadlik, Jan Tidd, Carol Collins, and Stacey Butts meet at Arrow Print and Copy on September 9 to assemble gift baskets that will be raffled at the Designer Purse Bingo event. 
“The Drive-In edition of our Designer Purse Bingo, to be held at the Sundance Kid Drive-In, 4500 Navarre in Oregon, allows participants to attend in the comfort of their cars,” she explained. “If the weather cooperates on the night of Sept. 17, guests may sit outside beside their cars to play bingo in hopes of winning fabulous designer handbags. We will also have a 50/50 raffle and numerous beautiful gift baskets that will be raffled. The event is co-sponsored by the Sylvania Lions and the Sight Center of Northwest Ohio and proceeds will be split between the two nonprofits. All proceeds stay right here in the northwest Ohio area.”
Attendees may have up to four people per vehicle. The cost is $40 per person which includes a book of 20 Bingo games, three chances for Coverall Bingo during intermission, a free dauber and a box of popcorn per vehicle. Social distancing and masks are required to go to concession areas and restrooms. Guests may bring a card table and chairs to sit outside next to their vehicles.
Tickets must be purchased before the event. There will be no night-of ticket sales. Tickets may be purchased by visiting SightCenterToledo.org/Events.