Four players went home Saturday night, Feb. 10, with large, smart TVs, including Cantor Elihu Flax, who beamed over his 55-inch television that marked the midpoint game of Congregation Beth El’s 19th annual Ben Gordon Family Bingo Night.
But the TV winners and many others who went home with a variety of game and door prizes, including hotel stays, restaurant coupons, and jewelry, weren’t even the biggest lucky players.
Deb Segaloff, a longtime sponsor and supporter of Men’s Club activities, had the winning ticket for the 50/50 raffle that Bill Nossen worked hard all night to push to a value of $1,020.
Becky Matteson, an employee of Laurent State Farm Agency, another bingo sponsor, won the evening’s final $500 blackout game.
Wayne Mitnick’s Affordable Mobile TV Repair was the night’s gold sponsor, generously donating the flatscreen TVs.
In all, more than 200 in attendance won some 80 prizes gathered by Men’s Club board members from hotels, restaurants, clothiers, grocers, sports outlets, and other area businesses—many of them owned by members of the Jewish community. Proceeds from the evening, thanks to nearly 50 cash sponsors, will be devoted to the synagogue’s Sunday School education and to summer camp scholarships.
The all-volunteer effort, under the leadership of Men’s Club President Howard Horwitz, was produced by Mark Kozak, Norman Soroko, and Alex Pomerantz, with major assistance from caller Eric Mazur, emcee Gary Kell, kitchen-crew chief Michael Efland, check-in chief Ron Gladstone, and popcorn maven Jody Wagner.
Pam Gladstone and Beth El’s office staff, plus Mario Cuffee and his kitchen and set-up crew, also helped make the event possible.
– Mark Kozak