FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sisters Bingo Games Benefit Many

Sister Bingo builds a following

By James Longacre

October 20, 2003 -- Guerneville, CA. "This is so much fun!" . "I had heard it was wild and crazy and it really is!". "You Sisters really know how to have fun!" These were some of the enthusiastic comments I heard from bingo players attending the October Bingo game put on by the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The monthly Bingo games hosted by the Sisters have been growing in popularity since they began in July. Not only have the Sisters been spreading wacky fun and great good will with every game, they also make significant contributions to many local charities. The Sisters give half the proceeds from each Bingo game to a different charity each month.

"We decided that we would invite a different charitable organization to participate in our games each month" explained Sister Nova Nilla, the founder of the Bingo Games. "Each group is asked to provide volunteers to help set up the tables and chairs in the Bingo Hall. They can also provide a few raffle prizes related to their group, like t-shirts or baseball caps. We also give them the opportunity to tell the Bingo fans a little bit about their group and what they do. We then make a donation to their group, equal to half the proceeds from that night's game."

The October Bingo Game was a joint benefit for WAIF (Wild, Abandoned Indigent Fund) and PALS (Pets Are Loving Support). On hand to speak with Bingo fans were Lori Nickel from WAIF and Connie Smith from PALS. "This gives people get a chance to talk with those who work with charities" said Sr. Sparkle Plenty. "It's neat when people see that most charity work is done by ordinary people, friends and neighbors, working for the good of others." Sr. Sparkle continued.

The October Bingo theme was "Queer Eye for the River Guy n Gal Bingo" which became a hilarious spoof on a certain TV show with a similar name. Winners of each Bingo game were subjected to a "Fab 5 Minute Make-over" by the Russian River Sisters. Each winner was fashionably made over with outrageous fashions donated by Joanne of St. Vincent De Paul in Monte Rio. By the end of the evening, the audience selected a very fashionable makeover winner who received a suitably lavish prize. It was clear the audience loved every minute of it. The Sisters like to see the players have fun, but they also like to see the rules obeyed. Just ask Daphne, who yelled "Bingo" but unfortunately didn't have a valid Bingo since she was missing a number. Because of this infraction of the rules, she was hauled to the front of the room and paddled, partly in fun but also as a warning to anybody else thinking of acting up. "We run a tight ship here" said Sr. Barbi Mitzvah, brandishing the biggest purple paddle I have ever seen, since grade school at least. Other Bingo players have been paddled for using their cel phones during a game, or being "sassy" to the Sisters.

Previous Sisters Bingo Games have benefited Food For Thought, Face 2 Face, Sonoma County AIDS Emergency Fund, Breast Cancer and the Sister's Grant Fund and Scholarship Fund. 

The next RR Sisters Bingo game will be held on Saturday, Nov 8 at the Odd Fellow's Hall in Guerneville. Doors open at 6:30 and games begin 7:15ish. The beneficiaries will be The Russian River Senior Center and Face 2 Face-Sonoma County AIDS Network. "The theme will be Thanksgiving-ish" said Sr. Nova Nilla. "So come on down and say "Howdy, Pilgrims!" she laughed.