There is more to Bingo than just playing the game, especially if you’re playing among friends.
Although we know people play to win, there are some who use the opportunity more so to just talk and fellowship. And a selection of senior citizens in the town of Sunflower makes up just such a group.
Two to three Saturdays a month, they gather in the recreational room at the Sunflower River apartment complex for Bingo games or a tournament that is more about the laughter and reminiscing than the winning.
Organizer Phyllis Wash said, “It’s an opportunity for them to get together because they don’t get out very much, other than going to church.” They meet up with old friends, some they haven’t seen or talked to in a while and some they just saw last week.
Wash said playing in the recurrent games also has other benefits. “It gets them out of the house, helps their cognitive skills so that they can keep being aware of numbers and letters because as you get older you tend to lose it a little,” she said.
The seniors begin each game session with devotion and prayer, especially for their companions and community members who are battling health infirmities.
Then, during the course of play, a lot of time is spent talking about the various goings on at their respective churches.
Wash explained that the participants are also provided snacks and refreshments because some of the players have health issues that require them to eat at regular intervals.
She said the younger members of the community have really stepped up to help by donating food and prizes for the games and tournaments.
Wash said she initially asked a few to help sponsor a Saturday and the response was overwhelming. “You would be surprised, amazed at how they just give. They are glad to give because it is a worthy cause.”
She said the donations were so plentiful for December that an extra tournament was held to make sure the entire amount was disbursed.
The contributions pour in from local residents as well as some who have moved away. She said that’s because many of the Bingo participants are well known throughout the community because of their longevity plus some are retired school personnel and educators from various academic levels from Headstart to elementary school.
Attendance to the games is usually consistent. Wash said the seniors don’t usually miss unless they are ill. “They look forward to it,” she said. Wash also emphasized that whenever possible they purchase the items locally and acknowledged the Sunflower Dollar General store as a contributor.
