They’re rolling out two new events over the next couple of weeks to help get people out for a good cause.

The first is a bingo night in memory of Mary Visneskie on May 26, put on by the Elmira Lions Club.

The Lions Club often  gives a large portion of their proceeds from a specified Thursday bingo night to a group who’s requested it.

“Mary was a long-time staff person here at Woolwich Community Services and she was also an avid bingo go-er. We thought it would be really nice to have a night in her honour,” said Leigh-Anne Quinn, WCS community resource coordinator.

She passed away in April.

She says they’re encouraging bingo lovers and newbies alike to come out for a fun night.

“The thing with bingo is you really don’t have to be an expert to play. They offer a rookie pack for $24. It kind of gives you access to every game, so it makes it easy for you if you don’t go out to bingo every Thursday night. But again it’s another event that you can come out and enjoy with a group of friends and just have fun,” Quinn said.

They’re also holding a Cocktails and Canvas night on June 2 at the Elmira Legion. Quinn was inspired to bring it to Elmira after attending one elsewhere and thought it would be a nice way for people to spend an evening and support WCS at the same time.

“What you get is an instructor who walks you through the painting. Everything you need to know to recreate the painting is included. So you get two hours of step-by-step instruction, you get a blank canvas on a wooden frame, paint, they give you an easel, they give you an apron, paintbrushes, and all the other supplies. What we’ll do is we’ll provide some snacks so that people can have some snacks while they paint. And then the bar at the legion will be open as well, so if people are interested in having a drink they can do that. That cost will be up to them,” Quinn said.

A portion of the proceeds will go back to WCS. There’s room for 40 people to attend, and so far 16 have signed up.

“These events are something that you kind of decide the week of. You look at your schedule and go ‘you know what I’m free this Thursday night, I’m going,’” Quinn said.

She thinks it will be nice for people to be able to attend what has become a popular event, without having to go to Kitchener or Waterloo.

While they won’t be bringing in big bucks from the event, every little bit helps.

“I estimate we’ll make around $700, which is great because they plan the event. People sign up through their company, they have an instructor and a helper and they walk you through everything. From a charity standpoint we’re just promoting it and hoping that we get people out to attend,” Quinn said.

St. Jacobs Home Hardware held a couple’s night recently and gave all the proceeds to WCS too. Store owner, David Gromeder, had food samples, and prizes to be won with ballots.

“Little initiatives like this really do help charities like Woolwich Community Services to help us meet our bottom line every year and I also think it’s great exposure for places like Home Hardware or the Elmira Lions bingo program. For them they’re supporting the community as well and we’re benefiting,” Quinn said.

The money raised from the Cocktails and Canvas event and the Lions Bingo night will go generally to WCS to be given to whatever program needs it the most at that time. She says the two areas most in need of funds right now are the Youth Centre and the Community Information Centre.

“We’re always looking to fundraise. As a charitable organization we constantly want to get out there and fundraise and make sure that we’re helping continue to provide all the programs that we provide in the community,” Quinn said.

The bingo night in memory of Mary Visneskie is May 26 at the Elmira Lions Hall from 7-9 p.m. The doors open at 6 p.m. and there are jackpots up to $750 and $1,000.

Cocktails and Canvas is June 2 at the Elmira Legion from 7-9 p.m. People are asked to show up around 6:30 p.m. and it costs $39.82 plus tax.