MOUNTAIN TOP — On March 1, the Rotary Club held its annual designer purse bingo, benefiting local students participating in the Backpack Program, a hunger-relief program by Feeding America that provides low-income students and their families with food for weekends and school breaks. Their efforts help provide nutrition during gaps when school lunches aren’t available.
During the purse bingo, the Crestwood High School cafeteria was filled with eager participants of all ages, and along with designer purses donated by local businesses, there were also gift cards and more than 30 raffle baskets, designed to ensure nearly everyone went home with something.
When asked about what stood out about this year’s bingo event compared to previous years, event organizer and Rotarian Claudia Vitiello said, “Everything came together so beautifully, from donations to volunteers to sponsors to door prizes. We also tried a new extended food menu.”
There were also volunteers and participants from Interact, the Crestwood High School student version of the Rotary club. The event featured state Rep. Alec Ryncavage calling the bingo numbers. Vitiello sends her thanks to all who were involved in the bingo, whether through Rotary involvement or volunteering, and to all who donated, sponsored, and participated.
The Rotary Club’s main mission is “Service Above Self.” The Mountain Top Rotary Club does just that, helping to fundraise for local charities that directly benefit the community and connecting people from all over the world to serve their local cities and beyond.
When asked about that motto, Vitiello said: “It’s all about making a positive impact on the community and making a difference.”
Looking ahead, the Rotary Club is excited about its Summer Fest, a day of food, music, and fun on July 26. They are also looking ahead to the annual farmers’ market, which runs every Sunday from June 26 until October, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers along with handmade items from craft vendors.
If you’d like to get involved with the Rotary Club or Interact, visit their website at www.rotary.org and send an email on their “Contact Us” page. Also, stay in touch about events and other ways to get involved via their Facebook page entitled “The Rotary Club of Mountain Top.”
