Warm smiles and happy laughter fill the room on Saturday evening. While many continue to flood the doors of Pocock Brewing Company, dozens inside anticipate what’s next to come.
The Blue Star Mothers of Santa Clarita presented Drag Bingo with Roxy Wood on Saturday. The event was organized to raise money for active and discharged military troops and families.
“The event is sponsoring, well part of it is for care packages [for active military troops],” explained Jo-Ann Manzo, the BSMSC recording secretary. “Part of it is just all other resources that the nationals have. We have so many services you know so there’s education…national has scholarships for military children.”
The BSMSC is a charter of the larger non-profit organization, The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Memberships are open to all mothers of service members who currently serve, have served, or have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States.
“I think in our chapter, we have a little over 30 [members]. It’s small but mighty,” said Manzo. “Our mission is to support our deployed and active military sons, daughters, wives, and their families. It’s interesting, someone said to me that the military doesn’t understand when you can’t talk to your son or daughter for months at a time. In fact, you don’t even know where they are so the military mom can understand that… it’s a really good support system.”
With a turnout of 130 attendees, Drag Bingo with Roxy was a sold-out event. For the BSMSC, this was good news as shipping costs for care packages continue to rise.
“Those [care] packages that we send, they cost about $18 a package to $20 just to set. Rates are going up 6.5% in July. So, while there are 200 [care] packages, we have to raise money for that postage to get there,” said Manzo.
Having worked with the BSMSC before, special guest and bingo caller, Roxy Wood was happy to support the organization again.
“I’ve been doing [drag bingo] for millions of years. So it was just another event to do but honestly, you know, my father was in the military,” explained Wood. “I grew up as a military child as well so I mean, I love it. It’s a great way to give back and then just to cheer up people that are connected with the military…I’m excited to do it.”
To attend Drag Bingo with Roxy Wood, guests paid a $50 admission fee. Along with food and drink for sale, attendees also had the option of bidding on silent auction items. Prizes included wine baskets, rum baskets, and audio speakers.
Along with the BSMSC, Wood hoped the event would raise enough money to support the costs of the organization.
“Everyone’s going to have a great time and we’re going to have a lot of laughs and you know, play bingo,” said Wood. “But, we want to make sure obviously, we raise money for the families.”
For many attendees, Drag Bingo with Roxy Wood was one way to give back to the community. However, it was also a fun night out as well.
“I support causes that are for you know, any kind of service that we get,” said Lynn Krasch, drag bingo attendee. “So that is what I’m here for, and to have fun. I love a little bingo and I haven’t been out in a while so this is great.”
