At West Seattle Rainbow Bingo, Senior Center wins the big ‘prize’

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Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

As raucous as the West Seattle Senior Center‘s “Rainbow Bingo” was on Friday night – it had a sentimental moment too: A special dedication in memory of one of its most loyal patrons: Evelyn ‘Jean’ Roberts. Jean died last November after a brief illness (her obituary was published here), and her friends and family came out in full force last night to dedicate a new Bingomatic machine they purchased in her honor.

The new machine will help guarantee a fundraising-bingo future for the Senior Center, which lost $86,000 of its funding last year. The center relies on bingo fundraisers to cover a significant part of its budget.

The theme of Friday night’s fundraiser was “Mardi Gras,” and the vibe was jubilant.

Sylvia O’Stayformore (above) called numbers fast and furious, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (below) were on hand to verify “bingos,” sell raffle tickets, and give out spankings for any false “bingos” — which they did to much fanfare from the crowd.

Half of tonight’s raffle proceeds went to the raffle’s winner and the other half went to the Senior Center; bingo winners received a prize from the prize table for their win. Any ties were taken care of by a “bingo-off.”

(From left, Jean Roberts’ children Craig Roberts, Andrea Crisler, Patti Oquist)
Right before the bingo began, Jean Roberts’ son, Craig Roberts, gave a warm dedication. He commented on Jean’s dedication to the Senior Center and said she loved both bingo and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Other friends on hand remembered her wonderful singing voice and her overall love of life. She reportedly had a great sense of humor; one of her bands was called, “Three Satans and an Angel.”

In addition to the Senior Center’s big “win” scoring the Bingomatic, regular player (and SC volunteer) Carolyn took home a prize – a queen-size comforter kit:

The next Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 8th, but if you are looking to get your bingo on before then, the Senior Center also hosts bingo every Friday at 11 am for $6.

(Thanks to Dawn for the tip about the Bingomatic dedication!)

WSC February 26, 2011 (8:39 am)

The agenda keeps rollin’ along aided and abetted by the WSB. The “Sisters of PI” have some seriously offensive history associated with them over the years.

RG February 26, 2011 (8:48 am)

WSC, what is this “agenda” you’re talking about? The Sisters have been supporting and raising money for the senior center for years (among other charities). It’s no big deal.

RJB February 26, 2011 (10:01 am)

I agree….The Sisters do fundraising all over Seattle. I know a founding member and think The Sisters are fab! Glad to see them off the hill and supporting West Seattle. Wish I would of known sooner or I would of attended!!

coffee February 26, 2011 (10:34 am)

WSC, I think you should do a bit of reading on the Sisters and see what good they actually do. Many groups and organizations in the greater Seattle area benefit from their long hard fundraising work. They do not benefit from the funds they raise. They do not get to have any type of financial allowance for their outfits, make-up, etc. They work VERY hard at what they do. They also do ALOT of work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDs. They are a very good group of people who are extreemely passionate about the work they do. If you do not like them, then you should not make these comments. Groups such as theirs are few and far between.
To learn more about the sisters, here is the link to their web site. http://www.theabbey.org

dc February 26, 2011 (10:59 am)

Please WSC read up on the Sisters and the purpose of their organization. Don’t be blinded by false misconception and irresponsible stereo typing. Shame on you.

WSB February 26, 2011 (11:49 am)

Actually we had an awesome, albeit last-minute, “agenda” for covering Rainbow Bingo last night. It was of course on our event calendar, as Rainbow Bingo and other major events usually are, but it wasn’t in our coverage plans until we got a note from Dawn only a few hours ahead of time (see shout-out at end of story) telling us about the Bingomatic dedication in honor of Jean Roberts, enabling the Senior Center to keep raising money with bingo. So I put out the call to see who on the contributor team would be available to go cover it, and Ellen answered the call. Don’t know about “offensive” history, but last night, they were raising money for an institution that’s at the heart of West Seattle, literally and figuratively. If “offensive” refers to their spoofing of nuns … FWIW we cover the “real” Catholic Church too … no other media were in sight (aside from the church’s own NW Progress) at Providence Mount St. Vincent when the new Archbishop visited West Seattle on World Day of the Sick, for example. Oh well, off to aid and abet coverage of the art that’s going up inside a brand-new development … TR

steve February 26, 2011 (11:49 am)

WSC……to drop an open statement like that without any facts to back it up. Really!! The Sisters go great work in the greater Seattle area. You should be greatfull that they are out there assisting the Senior Center. If you dont like the Sister’s work….perhaps you should do some volunteer work for the Senior Center.

Dunno February 26, 2011 (1:14 pm)

WTG, Andrea, Patti, and Craig! A great donation
in Jeans name.

She was a great lady, and this sound like it will help the Senior Center in WS in a time of need!!

I don’t know about the 1st comment, but if they would make a gaint donation to the Center, maybe Rainbow Bingo won’t be needed. It always draws the largest funding for the Center. Step up to the plate!

RMP February 26, 2011 (5:06 pm)

Andrea! Wish I would have remembered! I sat home feeling sorry for myself last night!!!!

Glad it was fun! Knew it would be!!!

ellenater February 26, 2011 (10:36 pm)

We all had a great time at Rainbow Bingo, I will for sure be going back. All the best to Craig, Andrea, and Patti. It was great to meet you all and I wish you the best. The BingOmatic will be appreciated for many years to come!

Craig Roberts February 27, 2011 (7:37 am)

From Craig Robrets: An amazing night. There was a lot of emotion in the room Friday night when my family dedicated to my Mothers memory, a new Bingomatic machine to the Senior Center of West Seattle. Not only were myself and my two sisters present, Mom’s partner, Glen Burton, but also, five grandchhildren, Todd, Laura, Craig, Christopher, Tyler and many many friends (over 30),including Dawn, Sharon, Cathy, Yoshie, Katherine and many more, that came for the dedication. Mom was full of life and over the last 10 years, the Senior Center of West Seattle gave her life meaning and purpose. This orginization is an intregal part of the West Seattle community and as evidenced by huge turnout, offers activity not only for our “Greatest Generation”, but also for many “younger” members of the community. It was a wow….there was electricity in the air, laughter, smiles, giggles, the core of what is best about West Seattle were very well represented. West Seattle is about Community, with a capital “C” and the Senior Center of West Seattle is at the heart of that community. Thank you all for attending, I know for our family, not only will Rainbow Bingo, become a regular event for our family but we’ll do everything we can to insure that the Senior Center of West Seattle is well funded. They do an awesome job….hats of to all that attended and…..Karen, Your awesome.

Craig Roberts

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