The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge announced it’s 2016 contributions to various local charitable and community groups from Odd Fellows Bingo totaled $8,374. Odd Fellows Bingo is run by the Lodge’s Bingo Committee, chaired by Jean-Paul Montreuil and Robb White in 2016, and staffed by a group of Odd Fellow Lodge volunteers. “We have been running Bingo for the community for over eight years now,” said Co-chair Jean-Paul Montreuil, “and we are so pleased that we can offer Bingo in Davis for the community’s enjoyment, as well as provide financial support for the wonderful charitable organizations that support those in need. 2016 was our best year yet.”
It is estimated that over the last eight years, the Bingo Committee has provided well over $50,000 in charitable contributions to community groups.
Bingo is offered to the public every second Sunday of every month at the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall, 415 2nd Street, with doors opening at 12 noon and Bingo beginning at 1 p.m. Typically, 15 games are played and Bingo ends around 4 p.m. Players can win $50 or $60 in a game, and $250 in the final Blackout Bingo game. In addition to Bingo, the Odd Fellows offer instant winner “pull-tabs” where players can win up to $100. Wine, beer and soft drinks are available at the snack bar at reasonable prices, as are hot doors, nachos and other treats. Coffee is provided to players free of charge. Every month the Bingo Committee of the Odd Fellows Lodge chooses a beneficiary of the proceeds that month. All proceeds (after winner payouts) are paid to the monthly beneficiary. During 2016, the following 12 beneficiaries received donations from the Odd Fellow:
January – Team Davis $1,287.00
February – Davis High School Madrigals $675.25
March – Team BaldFellows $312.50
April – ALS of Greater Sacramento $771.50
May – NAMI-Yolo $571.50
June – Empower Yolo/Center for Families $350.26
July – Davis Encampment #21 $878.00
August – Yolo Community Care Continuum $436.60
September – Elderly Nutrition Program $387.00
October – Soroptimists of Davis $857.85
November – Yolo Hospice $507.50
December – SPCA $1,339.85
TOTAL $8,374.81
Bingo will next be offered on Sunday, January 8, benefiting Team Davis. Bingo is open to the community, but only adults can be present on the Bingo floor.
Eight years ago, the Davis City Council approved the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge to run Bingo for the community. The Odd Fellows are the only organization in Davis that has the distinction to run legal Bingo within the city limits. The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge was instituted and chartered in 1870. Currently, the Lodge has 259 members with 19 applicants for membership. In addition to the contributions to the community provided by the Bingo Committee, the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge provides numerous other financial contributions through its Community Support Committee, the Davis Chocolate Festival Committee, the Taste of Davis Committee, the Breakfast with the Bunny Committee, and others.