It was the biggest turnout ever for the Corpus Christi Catholic Church Bingo Afternoon on Saturday. The monthly games are a fund-raiser for the church's effort to buy land and build a new building.
"Some months we would struggle to have 15 people and it's just grown to this," said event organizer Phyllis Dugan of the more than 50 players.
Dugan and her husband, Bob, started organizing the event a year ago last December. They offer free popcorn and coffee and sell hot dogs, chili, brownies and homemade sub sandwiches.
"That's one of the nice things about this game," said player June Morgan. "There's food so you can have a nice lunch."
Morgan retired to Carson from Phoenix a year and a half ago. Other bingo games get too competitive, but not this one, she said.
"This is such a nice, friendly group. Everybody jokes around."
The games are sponsored by the Saint Benedict Society, a service organization at the church.
"The group is named after a monk of the Benedictine order," explained parishioner Mary Jo Brummer. "His motto was 'Ora et labora' which means pray and work. So that's what we do for our church."
The Saint Benedict Society also organizes Christmas baskets for the needy, a meal during Lent called St. Joseph's Table and an ice cream social in the summer.
Shirley Boucher, another member of the church, was the number caller at Saturday's game. She worked as the activities director at Sierra Convalescent Center for 10 years.
"I called bingo about four times a week there so when they needed someone to do it I said, 'I can do that!'"
She said the Corpus Christi congregation is close-knit.
"Everyone is worried about everyone else."
The bingo afternoon also includes raffles. A 50-50 raffle - where 50 percent of the total goes to the church and 50 percent goes to the winner, is a highlight. Different donated items are raffled off each month. This time it was colorful ceramic vases or, as the playful players joked, "VAAHHzes."
The next Corpus Christi Bingo Afternoon will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the church, 5335 Snyder Ave. Call 882-1967.
Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.