Community plays bingo, wins books
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ST. IGNATIUS – Bingo for Books lured teacher Evelyn Jeannotte out of retirement, for a few hours.
“I love kids and I love books,” she said.
Jeannotte retired in December after about 30 years of service at the school. She spent most of those years in the library helping kids find books and utilize computers. For about a dozen years, she helped with the annual Bingo for Books program.
“We do this to promote reading,” she said. “Reading will help them all their lives.”
About 200 children and adults sat down in the school’s lunchroom with bingo cards on Thursday evening.
Elementary Principal Tammy Demien and Secretary Connie Trudeau called out number-letter combinations until someone called “bingo.”
“It’s exciting to win and everyone likes a free book,” Jeannotte said.
A grant paid for the 330 books spread out on a back table.
“Eventually everyone should get a book, even if they don’t win,” she said.
Allyson Umphrey, 10, worked a bingo card while wearing plastic gloves in between serving hotdogs. She got a little busy and missed some of the letter-number combinations, but she did eventually get a bingo, three times.
“I love reading because I get to go to new places,” she said. “I really like mysteries.”
Several students sold concessions during the event to raise money for a charity of their choice. Many businesses donated items to help the students with their project.
“We want to help other kids,” said Jessica Wheeler, student.
Teacher Susan Batiuchok helped the students stay organized.
“The children decided that the United Nations Children’s Fund would be the organization they wanted to support,” she said. “I have the best crew on the planet, and the community is spectacular in their support.”
Baptiste Bourdon, 8, found a comfortable spot on the floor and started reading the book he won.
“It looked funny,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to read it.”
