WESTFIELD-A “fabulous night out” is planned as Highland Elementary School PTO members host its first “Bags and Bling Bingo” fundraiser on April 11.
Jillian McGrath and Elizabeth Gasiewski, both PTO members, are co-chairing the event and are hopeful area residents ages 18 and older will want to participate in the fun evening slated at Tekoa Country Club.
Popular designer brands will be featured at the Highland Elementary School PTO’s spring fundraiser – Bags and Bling Bingo. (Submitted photo)
“In the past our spring season fundraiser was a calendar raffle and while it has been successful, we were looking for something different,” said McGrath, who also serves as the PTO’s treasurer.
McGrath added that she and friends have attended similar handbag fundraisers and saw how well received the events were.
“Women can never have enough handbags,” said McGrath, adding, “The event also gives women a night out with their friends to have fun.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo is slated from 7 to 10 p.m. Both McGrath and Gasiewski will be the evening’s bingo callers.
While attendees are arriving and socializing, a festive display of light refreshments including cheese and crackers and vegetables and dip will be offered to enjoy from 5:45 to 6:45. A cash bar will also be available.
McGrath also noted that a wide variety of raffle prizes will be up for grabs, ranging from wine, gift cards, and lottery tickets to merchandise from popular designers including Vera Bradley, Longchamp, Lilly Pulitzer and The Love Mich Collection. The cost will be $10 for a sheet of 21 raffle tickets.
“We have a great lineup of raffle prizes,” said McGrath, adding “all money raised benefits Highland students through educational field trips, family nights, and classroom supplies.”
Of course, the evening’s main attraction will be the handbags and “bling” and McGrath said there will be several handbags as well as a variety of jewelry to be won.
“We are featuring popular designers including Tiffany & Co., Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Coach, Tory Burch and more,” said McGrath, noting all items were purchased from stores.
“We had set a budget for our event and some of the money we used was through donations,” said McGrath.
Tickets are available for a donation of $35 and includes a set of 10 bingo cards and dauber. Additional sets of bingo cards as well as individual cards will be available.
“Every ticket donation is tax-deductible since the PTO is a registered 501(c)3 organization,” said McGrath.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit highlandpto.wixsite.com. For persons who do not have access to a computer and would like to attend, call the school at (413) 572-6428, leave your name and telephone number and McGrath will follow up with a call. For general inquiries, send an email to [email protected].
For individuals or businesses interested in donating a tax-deductible raffle prize, McGrath can be reached via email to [email protected].
“We have sold half of the tickets available already,” said McGrath, noting she expects the event to sell out.
