Thrive board member Jasmine Rogers calls bingo at the Thrive barbecue last year. Photo contributed
It’s that time of year again. The 4th Annual BBQ, Boots & BINGO fall fundraiser will happen on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m,. at the Columbus Club of Arlington, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington.
This is a family-friendly event featuring picnic fare, moon bounces, face painting, crafts, bingo, music and more. Music will be provided by “DJTJ” Schultz. TJ has been a DJ in the NOVA area for two years and is also the Fan Zone DJ for the Washington Spirit women’s soccer team.
“Arlington Thrive provides critical services to the residents of Arlington County during an unexpected time of crisis. This contribution will help individuals, children, and families meet basic needs in desperate times,” said Garrett McGuire, Regional Director for External Affairs at AT&T. AT&T is one of this year’s co-presenting sponsors, along with the Arlington Rotary Club. Both organizations say they are committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities, promote academic and economic achievement, and address community needs.
Sherry Barndollar Rock, Arlington Rotary Educational Foundation president, wants the Arlington community to know: “The Arlington Rotary Club is honored to support Arlington THRIVE in the essential and life-changing services it provides to our community and we look forward to continuing our long-established relationship as long as we can be helpful to such a needed organization.”
As part of the Rotary Club’s own efforts within the Arlington community, they are collecting unwanted or broken electronic devices and they will have a collection box for these devices at Arlington Thrive’s BBQ, Boots, and BINGO fundraiser. In addition to safely recycling electronics that can be harmful to the environment, the money they raise through this collection will go towards the Arlington Rotary Educational Foundation (www.arlingtonrotaryclub.org).
The Arlington South Lions Club and the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center of Northern Virginia (LERC NOVA) are new sponsors this year and will be collecting used eyeglasses and hearing aids at the event.
Arlington Thrive is the only nonprofit in Arlington that provides same-day emergency financial assistance to Arlington residents who cannot pay their bills for rent, utilities or medical care. Often, those receiving aid are able to pay back Thrive when they get back on their feet. To learn more, go to arlingtonthrive.org
Tickets (adult $20; child $10; or family $50) are available online at www.arlingtonthrive.org/donate. The ticket price includes admission, food, beverages, all activities and BINGO. All funds raised will go directly to support Arlington neighbors in need. For more information, please call 703-558-0035.