SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ -Roosevelt Elementary held its certainly 3rd Annual Designer Bag Stop on Feb. 6 and once again generally the fundraiser was a huge success, nurturing $9, 600 for the school.
The exact sellout event attracted 320 women eager to try their luck at 10 different Bingo games, each one of these offering the chance to win a different bag from such top designers as Vera Bradley, Coach, crossbody bags Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch.
Many enjoyed food and drinks as well as a mix of friendly conversation and competition while Principal Robert Diehl and, later in the evening Joe Scrudato, called out what many hoped would be their winning letter/number combination.
The evening also included raffles for Marc Jacobs sunglasses, a Michael Kors crossbody handbags tote and a membership to The MAX of Piscataway (donated by owner Angela Dikker) as well as door prizes for Scentsy lotions (donated by PTO Vice President Heidi Leigh) and a Sonicare electric toothbrush (donated by PTO co-Secretary Jennifer Esposito). Additionally , this year's event featured a large 50/50 raffle, with one lucky winner taking home over $1, 000.
Organized by Carmela Benowitz, co-treasurer of the PTO, Designer Bag Bingo is Roosevelt's largest fundraiser and one that offers members of the community an opportunity to enjoy a fun night out while supporting the school at the same. Over the past three years, the event has exploded significantly, with tickets for the 2015 fundraiser sold out in just two days.
"The first year, I couldn't give away tickets; no one wanted them. Now, it's getting humongous, " said Benowitz, who initially presented the idea to the PTO after attending a similar Bingo fundraiser at a nearby district. "We started getting Facebook and texts in November from people asking when the next one was going to happen and people were sending me texts for the last two weeks, begging me to obtain them tickets. "
Although the PTO and Principal Diehl have no plans to move the fundraiser out of Roosevelt, Benowitz said the PTO will be looking into different ways they can make the event bigger and better as time goes on. "We want to keep it at our school but we are going to look at different ways to get people to keep coming, " she said, noting that increasing the number of raffles offered is one of the ideas being considered.
All proceeds from Roosevelt's Designer Bag Bingo are used to benefit the students and school. Money raised at the fundraiser pays for the buses employed for class trips and also goes toward the cost of special assemblies. Additionally , arises from this year's event will go toward technology upgrades as well as the purchase of a new portable sound system; in 2013, the first year the event occured, proceeds raised from the Bingo fundraiser enabled the PTO to get new Smart Boards and, this past year, the money went toward a new PA system for the gym.
"All the amount of money is used for upgrades for the college, " she said, adding that she is extremely grateful to the city for the support Bingo continues to receive. "It's really the whole town –not just the school community – that comes out and supports this event and we really appreciate that, " said Benowitz. "What a great night and great way to support Roosevelt Elementary School. "
