SACRAMENTO — You may be willing to take your chances, knowing you don’t have to be a serious gambler to win at Tri-Valley Charities Inc. “Casino Night.”
TVC will offer its first Casino Night from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday at Sacramento Community Fire Company, featuring games and live music. There will also be a basket and gift raffle from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
“We are holding this event because our annual fund drive in the fall has not provided the total funds necessary to meet the needs and requests for help,” Janet Radel, TVC president, said.
TVC’s goal was $40,000, but the organization fell short by $9,600, Radel said, which had to be taken from TVC’s reserve funds. It was a similar amount the year before, she said.
Radel found the idea for Casino Night on Pinterest and saw that many school PTOs, churches and other nonprofit organizations had used the theme for their fundraising events.
“We have modified the games we’ll be playing, so that you do not have to have gambling experience to be successful. It’s more for fun and entertainment than for a serious gambler,” Radel said.
The casino games they’ll have are blackjack, hi-lo, acey-deucey, crazy jokers, plinko, number wheels and horse races.
TVC is a nonprofit organization, serving members of the community in their time of need since 1959. The organization has helped individual families needing assistance with heating, electricity, medical care, medicines and medical equipment, housing, food and other miscellaneous care. All personal information about families served is strictly confidential.
TVC also provides funds to support other nonprofit organizations in the community. Proceeds from the event will support TVC’s benefactors and also help to sustain the emergency fund.
Local organizations receiving TVC funds include: American Red Cross; Avenues (Cerebral Palsy of Schuylkill County); Crippled Children’s Society of Schuylkill County; Day Care Scholarship Fund at Trinity Lutheran; Diakon Tri-Valley Volunteer Home Care; Food Closet; GIVE group of Tri-Valley; Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA Council; Hawk Mountain Boy Scout Council; Tri-Valley Girl Scouts and Boy Scout Troops (12 troops); and Tri-Valley Free Public Library.
Everyone is welcome to stop in and purchase tickets to try to win prizes and baskets. Basket winners and prizes will be drawn Saturday at the Casino Night. You need not be present to win. Casino Night will feature a chicken BBQ and filling dinner; a live band, Shotgunn; and casino type games for which the top poker-chip earners will be awarded prizes. Tickets cost $25 for 100 chips and can be purchased at Hegins Feed and Supply or by calling 570-682-9144.
“Many local businesses, individuals and school students have contributed baskets, gift certificates and prizes to help make this event a success. To all who have made a contribution, we are extremely grateful,” Radel said.
TVC has collected over 50 gift baskets, numerous gift certificates and gift cards. Other prizes include: 4 Penn State vs. Temple box seats and parking pass; outdoor home theater collection (inflatable screen, projector, and speakers); gas grill; pop-up canopies; fire pits; wet/dry shop vac; patio set; outdoor storage bench; high pressure washer; wheelbarrow; coolers; framed print; Knoebels tickets; coffee table; and outdoor games.
You can find the event on Facebook at Tri-Valley Charities Basket Raffle.