The Rotary Club of Fonthill once again delivered a night of high-energy fun and community spirit as it hosted its annual Purse Bingo fundraiser earlier this month — with Pathstone Mental Health emerging as the biggest beneficiary.
Held on the first Friday of November at the Meridian Community Centre (MCC), the sold-out event treated attendees to ten rounds of Bingo, with each winner claiming a designer purse. A special bonus game awarded a luxury basket valued at more than $1,700, packed with gift certificates and curated items from local businesses and supporters.
As is tradition, Rotarians selected a new charitable cause to receive the full proceeds of the fundraiser. This year, they chose Pathstone’s Satellite Clinic located directly within the MCC. According to Janet Cripps, Rotarian and E.L. Crossley Secondary School Program Lead of Student Services, the clinic has become an essential resource for young people in Pelham. She noted that youth “find the local clinic handy and helpful,” emphasizing the growing need for mental health services for children and teens throughout Niagara — a need that Pathstone continues to work to meet.
The event’s success was made possible through the generosity of numerous purse sponsors, including: Shelly Marr Mouck (Colliers International), Meridian Credit Union, Debbie Pine (Pinesold), Troy Killick (CIBC Private Wealth Wood Gundy), Darcy Richardson (Darcy Richardson Real Estate Group), Frank Adamson (Kwik Fit Niagara), Cathy Berkhout Bosse (Team Berkhout Bosse ReMax), Terry-Lynn Adamson (Adamson Wealth Group), Marcie Bak (Kane Medical Aesthetics), and Pauline Oliver (Pauline Oliver Royal LePage).
The luxury basket featured contributions from Trina Moscato (Styles), Mossimo’s Pizza, Kristen and Kathryn Groom (Rose Manor), Yen (JY Nails), and Friends of Rotary. Two pairs of earrings valued at $1,100 — donated by Tamara Steele of Sapphires Jewellers — topped off the grand prize.
Adding to the excitement was an active 50/50 draw, awarding more than $900 to its winner.
In total, the event raised over $11,000 for Pathstone’s Satellite Clinic — a milestone greeted with enthusiastic applause from attendees. Event co-chairs Ann Harrison and Mel Groom expressed their gratitude, stating:
“Our Rotary Purse Bingo is successful and sold out every year because of our community support. We are grateful to our participants and sponsors, many of whom have been with us from the beginning. This year was a record fundraiser, and we are happy to provide support to Pathstone’s Mental Health satellite location here at our Meridian Community Centre. Thank you also to our dedicated team of volunteers who ensure the evening flows smoothly and our bingo players have lots of laughs and fun.”
Since 2022, the annual Purse Bingo fundraiser has generated more than $37,000, supporting local elementary school nutrition programs across both Niagara school boards, Pelham Cares, Niagara Nutrition Partners, and now Pathstone Mental Health.
The Rotary Club of Fonthill has already set its sights on the next Purse Bingo, scheduled for November 2026.
To learn more about the club’s programs, events, and community initiatives, visit rotarycluboffonthill.ca.
