Holiday Express Bingo Night Raises $10,000

Holiday Express Supporters Still Have Chance to Win Super 50/50 Raffle

Two hundred people attended the latest Holiday Express Bingo Night held on January 24, 2020, which sold out in just three days as soon as tickets went on sale. The hugely popular event helped raise close to $10,000 to support the mission of Holiday Express, a non-profit volunteer organization that delivers music, food, gifts, financial support, and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year. The bingo fundraiser came right on the heels of the nonprofit’s 27th amazing season, which included 100 nonstop charitable events in November and December, the annual Red Bank Town Lighting concert the night after Thanksgiving, two public benefit concerts in December at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ and a holiday appearance at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Each year, Holiday Express schedules 100 private events from the first week of November through December 24 to visit the mentally and physically challenged, the isolated, individuals in addiction and recovery programs, the poor and the homeless, and children with serious illnesses. The average cost for each event is $6,000 to cover the cost of what is essentially a full-blown musical party at every venue. Each season, more than 29,000 very special guests have the chance to enjoy live music by professional musicians who volunteer their time and talent, plus food and beverages, costume characters, face painting, crafts, singing, dancing, and lots of hugs and personal attention from enthusiastic volunteer “elves.” Additionally, each and every person that Holiday Express visits receives a gift duffle bag, filled with necessities such as warm socks, hats, gloves, blankets, toiletries, and more. The organization relies solely on donations from individuals, organizations, schools, businesses, and others in the community to support the work they do.

The festive bingo evening, held at the Holiday Express warehouse, was fun for everyone. Bingo game winners received bottles of wine and gift certificates to local restaurants. Beautiful raffle prize baskets were also available, along with door prizes and a “lucky date” calendar that earned the lucky winner a stay in Atlantic City. Due to the overwhelming demand, another Holiday Express Bingo Night will be coming soon, so be sure to check the organization’s website and social media for details.

Super 50/50 Raffle Tickets Now Available

In the meantime, there is yet another opportunity for supporters to get lucky while waiting for the next bingo event. The organization is once again offering a fabulous Super 50/50 Raffle, with the chance for one lucky winner to come away with 50% of the amount sold, up to $25,000. Tickets are $100 each and only 500 are available for purchase, with the winning ticket to be drawn on April 28, 2020. Proceeds will be used to benefit the mission of Holiday Express – and perhaps change the luck of those they visit during the holiday season. Excited winners from the past two years were thrilled that they decided to try their luck and buy a ticket; this year, it may be your turn! (If you want to share the luck, you may consider chipping in with friends, family members, or coworkers to buy tickets.) 

To purchase Super 50/50 Raffle Tickets, call Holiday Express at 732-544-8010. The drawing will take place at 7:30 pm on April 28, 2020 at Holiday Express, 151 Industrial Way East, Building A, Suite A-4, Eatontown, NJ. Participants need not be present to win.

For more exciting events and updated news, visit www.holidayexpress.org or follow Holiday Express on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Pictured from left to right: Holiday Express Executive Director Lorrie Klaric, bingo winner Carolyn Miller, bingo auction chair Phyllis Peterson, Holiday Express Coordinator of Business Office & Social Media Ashley Hadar, bingo auction chair Angel Palumbo, and Joanne Middleton, who donated a VIP weekend in Atlantic City as a prize for the Holiday Express bingo event.  (Photo credit:  Kate Beckett)