When the Soboba Tribal Preschool announced its third annual Bingo Night fundraiser, the community responded in a big way. Tickets for the event sold out quickly and donations of 75 fabulous raffle prizes poured into the preschool in the days leading up to the big night on March 7.
The Soboba Sports Complex was transformed into a bingo hall with festively decorated long tables to accommodate the 400-plus guests who each paid $20 for a delicious dinner of either chicken alfredo or spaghetti with meat sauce plus four bingo cards. There were concessions for sale that included cupcakes and cookies baked by Val Saenz as well as popcorn, nachos, pickles and other sweet and savory snacks.
Proceeds from the event are earmarked for a year-end trip to Legoland for all 57 students. Soboba Tribal Preschool Administrator Lenora “Ponie” Mojado thanked the crowd for coming out to support the school to help them exceed their fundraising goal.
“It was an amazing turnout, and we have a great community,” Mojado said. “We plan to take three or four field trips throughout the school year and acquire new items for the school, such as Cricut machines for the teachers, a pressure washer, staff shirts and children’s shirts plus new school merchandise.”
Soboba Foundation’s Sponsorship and Higher Education Coordinator Andrew Vallejos hosted the event and was the official numbers caller from the stage. The first three games of regular bingo paid $250 cash to each winner and the final Blackout Bingo game winner was awarded $500. Of course, with the number of players in attendance, it was expected that there would be a tie or two. Tiebreaker games, facilitated by Corryn Salgado-Flores, were played with much encouragement and enthusiasm from the audience members.
The fruit roll-up challenge is a crowd favorite, and the first tie included Soboba Tribal Council Chairwoman Geneva Mojado, who came in second by mere inches. The second game was won by Amber Medrano after she completed a donut-on-a-string eating challenge that followed a two-way tie. Debbie Lotman was the sole winner of game three.
The final game, a total bingo card blackout, ended in a three-way tie after about 10 minutes of play. The fruit roll-up challenge between Sally Montoya, Maria Vivanco’s great nephew, Dominick Lara, 5, and Brenda Muñoz’s niece Autumn Ramos, 9, ended with Autumn finishing first and taking home $500.
Between the games, raffle winners were announced. There were three long tables, each filled with 25 or so wrapped baskets filled with a variety of gifts ranging from cookware to gift cards from local eateries and toys for kids to self-care baskets for parents. Guests were able to purchase a dozen tickets for $10 and place half of the ticket into the box corresponding to the prize they hoped to win, guaranteeing everyone whose number was called got the gift they really wanted.
Teachers and staff from the preschool, along with other volunteers, delivered baskets to the winning ticket holders that were seated throughout the room.
“I want to give a huge shoutout to all the families and the community for their incredible support! Many of you have a family member—be it a cousin, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, or niece/nephew—who attends the preschool, and your contributions were essential in helping us reach our goal of 75 baskets,” Ponie Mojado said. “I especially want to recognize my team of teachers who made everything possible. And thanks to my assistant, Maria Hernandez, for coming in during such a busy tie and helping to get everything done.”
Another popular attraction of the three-hour long game night was a 50/50 drawing. At about 7 p.m., nearly an hour before the games were finished, it was announced that there was $967 available to the winner. Soboba Tribal Council Treasurer Mike Bentiste stepped up and bought enough tickets to take the total to $1,000 for the winner’s half. His granddaughter Natalia Girard attends the preschool, and 16 of his family members joined in the evening’s activities.
The winning 50/50 ticket was drawn by preschooler Love Salgado-Flores and the lucky ticket holder was Myah Saenz, who works for the gaming commission. She said her grandmother, Lynn Saenz, invited the whole family to support the preschool.
Many volunteers contributed their time and efforts to making the fun-filled event a smooth-running operation from beginning to end. Those included members of the Soboba Youth Council who served the food and helped out where and when needed.
The support from everyone who attended was appreciated. Along with Soboba Tribal members in attendance, there were others from the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians as well as team members from various departments at Soboba. Local community members also participated.
“A special thank you goes out to Leland and Yesenia Razon, Tara and Joey Placencia, Brit Covington, Nette Escalante, Taylor Bentiste, Hope Chacon, Carrie Garcia, Daise Burton, Beth Hamilton, Andy and Noami Silvas, the Silvas Family, Denise, Dondi, Ms. Yvonne, and Mr. Mojado for donating his casino giveaways. I also want to recognize our wonderful teachers, Julissa Garcia and Alaina Adkins,” Ponie Mojado said. “The outpouring of basket donations, time, and effort from our families has been truly remarkable. If I missed mentioning anyone, I sincerely apologize, but I want you to know how grateful I am for having such a supportive community that contributes to our preschool. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!”
In addition, she extended her gratitude to the following departments for their donations: Tribal Admin, Soboba Casino Resort, Tribal Family Services, Soboba RX, Soboba EDC, TANF Riverside, Noli Booster, Noli Beading Club. Gratitude was also extended to outside organizations Morongo Casino, Hadley’s, RossCo Promotions, Nike, and Stadium Pizza.
“Your support for the preschool means so much to us,” Ponie Mojado said.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
