Now in its 13th year, the Davis Odd Fellows Bingo Committee announced today that it contributed $11,080 to 11 beneficiaries in 2019.
On the second Sunday of each month (except for May when the second Sunday falls on Mother’s Day), the Davis Odd Fellows open the Lodge Hall to the community to play Bingo. In 2019, the following 11 community and charitable agencies received donations of Bingo proceeds:
- Team Davis
- Davis Parent Nursery School (DPNS)
- Yolo Community Care Continuum (YCCC)
- Davis Encampment
- Yolo County Healthy Aging Alliance
- Community and Employment Services
- NAMI-Yolo
- Unleashing the Possibilities (UTP)
- Soroptimists of Davis
- Foster and Kinship Care Education Program
- Yolo County SPCA
In 2007, the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge applied to the City Council and received permission to operate Bingo in Davis under state law. Since 2007, the Davis Odd Fellows have contributed over $100,000 to dozens of community and charitable groups through these Bingo games. In addition, hundreds of local residents have enjoyed playing Bingo at the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall on 415 2nd Street. On the second Sunday, doors open at 12 noon, and Bingo begins at 1 p.m. Fifteen games are played, and winners receive payouts in cash, including $250 for the final “Blackout Bingo” Game. Every month, a local beneficiary receives the proceeds from Bingo, after payment of Bingo winners. The beneficiary amounts have ranged up as high as $1,400 per month.
“Second Sunday Bingo at the Lodge has become a fun tradition for the Odd Fellows and for the community,” said Diana Schmiegel, one of the leaders of the Bingo Committee. “We have regular players who look forward to Bingo every month and have been loyal customers for years. And we always get newcomers, usually in support of the community beneficiary of the month. It’s really a win-win-win all around.”
2019 Co-chairs of Odd Fellows Bingo were Diana Schmiegel and Dawn Coder. 2020 Co-chairs of Odd Fellows Bingo will be Alice Stewart and Matthew Elliott.
Members of the public over the age of 18 can purchase Bingo packets for $20 (or economy packets at $12) which provide the Bingo sheets for all 15 games. Players can also purchase instant winner scratchers during the afternoon. The Odd Fellows operate a snack bar during the games, offering hot dogs, nachos, snacks, candy, beer, wine and soft drinks.
Next Bingo will be held on Sunday, January 12, benefiting Team Davis. Doors open at 12 noon and Bingo begins at 1 p.m. The public is invited.
The Davis Odd Fellows were chartered in Davis in 1870 (even before there was a City of Davis), and will be celebrating their 150th anniversary in April 2020. Currently, there are 302 members of the Lodge, almost equally divided between men and women. The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge is the largest Odd Fellows Lodge in North America. For more information on the Davis Odd Fellows, visit www.davislodge.org.