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Competition was fierce at the Wiesbaden High School gymnasium Friday evening, Jan. 15.
But it wasn’t young athletes battling for points and bragging rights. These were parents intently monitoring bingo boards while raising money for a good cause during Big Bucks for College Basket Bingo.
In between rounds of bingo, students roamed the room collecting financial pledges for the chance to be creamed by a pie.
All of it was part of the annual drive to help graduating seniors cover some of the expenses they will incur when continuing on to college, a technical school or other institution of higher learning.
“We have such a wonderful group of parents,” said Kay Cook, executive chair of the Big Bucks for College program. “It takes a lot of people to run one of these events.”
“We have a very energetic and enthusiastic group of parents this year,” said Peter Witmer, school liaison officer, who helped launch the program four years ago. “We’ve had constant involvement — people are really staying motivated.”
“In the past three years we’ve raised more than $40,000 for graduating seniors,” said Cook, who was first involved with the program four years ago. “We would really like to be able give $500 a student.”
Students become eligible for the Big Bucks financial aid after applying and receiving an acceptance letter from an institution of higher learning. “They must also put in 10 hours of volunteer service at our events,” explained Cook.
The financial assistance is a “financial booster shot,” said Big Bucks organizers. It can be used for everything from purchasing a laptop, paying for housing expenses to helping with tuition.
“The nice thing is that it goes directly to the student. It can help solve a personal need,” said Cook.
With events planned monthly through the rest of the school year, Big Bucks for College members hope to involve as many community members as possible in the fundraising effort.
“Every month we’re having activities,” said Cook, explaining that a Big Bucks for College Bingo will be held Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at the high school and a pancake breakfast will be featured in the Wiesbaden Army Community Service cafeteria March 14 from 8 a.m. to noon.
There will also be silent auctions for donated items held at upcoming Community Information Briefs in the Community Activity Center the last Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
“We hope to see the continued good turnout of community members at our events,” said Cook. “Without the community we can’t go anywhere.”
People can help support graduating seniors through the program by attending upcoming events or donating items to be auctioned off at the Family Fun Fest to be held May 1. Besides featuring performances by school bands and choirs and other entertainment the Family Fun Fest will offer games for children and more. “It’s really designed to be not just a school event but a community event. It’ll culminate in an auction.”
“We’re looking for any high-quality items — furniture, applicances, gift sets, hotel accommodations, vacation packages — basically anything that has value,” said Cook. Corporate support is also highly appreciated, organizers said.
For more information on the Big Bucks for College program or to make a donation call Big Bucks teacher sponsor Chris Criley at mil 335-5351 or civ (0611) 4080-351.
