THUNDER BAY— Superior Shores Gaming Association has raised more than $10 million for local charities over the last decade.
“The funds raised by the volunteers at SSGA make a huge impact in our community and without them a lot of programs and services would not be available," said board president, Diane Imrie.
Superior Shores is the only non-profit, charity-owned gaming centre in Ontario. The organization announced Wednesday that they had crossed the $10-million fundraising threshold.
With 100 per cent of funds raised staying in Thunder Bay, the impact reaches across six areas: arts & culture, education, community support, health and social services, religion, and youth sports, according to a media release Wednesday.
“The funds are going to over 82 local charities in Thunder Bay, they’re helping from animal shelter services to emergency services,” said Ashlyn Ransome, charity coordinator with Superior Shores.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is one of those recipients.
“Superior Shore’s support means that we can grow that programming and provide really robust, offerings for the community and spark interest,” said executive director Matthew Hills.
“The majority of our gaming funds are raised through bingo here in our gaming centre and in the back, we have what we call a cabinet games room where you can find slot style cabinet game machines,” said Ransome.
“It's not just a bingo player, it's the volunteers that are here that cover shifts and it's the bingo coordinators that help the organizations,” she added.
“I see a lot of players that come here to socialize, It gets them out of their houses and into the community,” said Ransome.
“The game of bingo is a game that's fun to play, but it's also fun to connect with your neighbours,” she added.
Superior Shores Gaming Association requires that all volunteer must be 18 years of age or older to volunteer.
