Feb. 1, 2006 — In a new approach to fundraising and increasing awareness about its message, Helping Others in a Positive Environment Inc., referred to as HOPE, will hold a HIV/AIDS Bingo Fundraiser on Feb. 10.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center on St. John.
"It's going to be fun," Ivy Moses, HOPE chief executive officer, said.
HOPE provides HIV/AIDS education, promotes awareness and offers testing to the community.
The bingo night also acknowledges National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is observed Feb. 7.
While participants will play bingo for a good cause, they'll also have a chance to win cash prizes. HOPE will put the first 10 percent of money spent on each game towards a grand prize. The winner of each game and HOPE will split the rest equally.
Bingo cards and daubers run $1 each, which means those attending can have a fun evening without spending a lot of money.
Those playing must be 18 or over.
Snacks and drinks will also be for sale.
Moses said HIV/AIDS information will be available.
She said St. Thomas resident Robert Caraballo, who serves on HOPE's board, will run the bingo games. She said he's experienced at the task, with years of running bingo games at the Frenchtown Community Center on his resume.
Moses said she and HOPE program coordinator Gail Jackson were on attending a conference in Las Vegas when they learned about bingo.
"It was the only game we could play," she said, laughing about the complexity of other Las Vegas gaming activities.
Here are directions to St. Ursula's, which is an easy walk from the ferry dock. Walk up the street from the Cruz Bay ferry dock. On your right, pass Nazareth Lutheran Church, First Bank, Julius E. Sprauve School, and Winston Wells Ballfield.
The road splits at this point, but stay to the right. The Texaco gas station will be on the left. St. Ursula's is just up the road on the right. The Multipurpose Center is on the lower level, so turn right just before the church building. The entrance will be on your left as you go down the short hill.
