Rittenhouse Village at Portage held its eighth annual Vera Bradley bingo charity event at the Bonner Senior Center on November 13. Complete with refreshments, snacks, bingo and a raffle, this fundraising event is a relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Rittenhouse Village at Portage is the only independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in Portage. The community holds many events such as the Vera Bradley bingo event in order to give back to the community. This is the second year this event is being held at the Bonner Senior Center.
Danielle Balek, Senior Lifestyle Counselor at Rittenhouse Village at Portage, has been with the company for four and a half years. Balek expressed how much she loves this event and what it means to her.
“We used to hold this event at Rittenhouse, but because of COVID and wanting to be able to raise money and raise awareness for the Bonner Care Center, we started hosting it here last year,” Balek said. “It’s been lovely; We’re a great partnership.”
This event serves as a fundraiser to raise money for the various services that the Bonner Senior Center provides.
“The Bonner Center provides all types of services,” Balek said. “Everything from transportation for the seniors, to bringing them out to the senior center to socialize and making sure they have a safe place to go so they are not alone. The Bonner Center does everything for them, and Portage is very lucky to have such a wonderful senior center.”
During the bingo event, players have a chance to win one of the beautiful Vera Bradley bags, which were supplied by Rittenhouse, as well as many other community partners.
The Vera Bradley bags were donated by AseraCare Hospice, Promedica Hospice, VNA Hospice, FirstLight Home Care, At Home Quality Care, Dunes Hospice, Traditions Hospice, Heart to Heart Hospice, Mendota Health, St. Agnes Adult Day Center, and Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana.
“We also had a private donation made by Robin and Randy Wilkening for one of the bags,” Balek said. “We’re really lucky to have such a good community. Even the Vera Bradley store donated a bag.”
Along with the chance to win a bag, players who purchased raffle tickets had the opportunity to win one of the handmade wreaths which were crafted and donated by Ronda Waters.
Diane Biancardi, a resident of Portage, heard about this event from one of her friends.
“This is my second year attending this event,” Biancardi said. “I go to bingo with my friend, and she mentions this every year. She loves the purses, and she says, ‘Let’s go!’”
Biancardi conveyed her appreciation to Rittenhouse for putting this event together every year.
“We really enjoy being part of this fundraising event,” Biancardi said. “Thank you for putting this together and for making a difference.”
Balek expressed her excitement for the turnout of the event and expanded on her hopes for the future of the event.
“I hope to be able to keep this going,” Balek said. “Our goal this year was to raise about $1,500 and I think we’re going to be very close to that.”
Kristin Pawlak, Executive Director at Rittenhouse, mentioned that this event is open to everyone in the community.
“All ages can participate; We have some bingo players here who aren’t even 20 and then we have people that are up to age 90,” Pawlak said. “We have always been a full house for this bingo event, and we just hope everyone has fun.”
Pawlak added that Rittenhouse loves to help its community.
“We like to do a lot of community events,” Pawlak said. “We just want the seniors to know that we’re here for them and if they’re looking for a place for themselves or a loved one, we’re available.”
For more information about Rittenhouse Village at Portage, visit rittenhousevillages.com.
For more information about Bonner Senior Center, visit portagetrustee.org.