PORA has charitable groups covered

The Property Owners and Residents Association weekly bingo competition has proven to be a winner for both players and the community.

Funds from bingo games during 2009 totaling $19,000 were donated to 11 charitable groups in the West Valley.

At Monday’s board of directors meeting, representatives from three of the groups accepted checks from PORA President Larry Woods.

Woods said the bingo proceeds cannot be given directly to PORA, though it does support two organizations linked to PORA — Sun City West Visitors Center and the Lifelong Learning program.

"What we’ve done since bingo began ... a good percentage of this money is given to other nonprofits that are benefiting residents of Sun City West," Woods said.

Carl McCurdy from the Sun City West Community Fund, which helps struggling seniors pay bills, accepted a $3,000 donation while Evelyn Nelson, president of Meals on Wheels, a volunteer group that delivers hot meals to homebound seniors, received a $2,000 check for her organization. Richard Wehbe from the Joint Environmental Task Force, which is dedicated to improving air quality in the West Valley, accepted $1,000.

Other groups receiving money are:

PRIDES, $2,500; Sheriff’s Posse of Sun City West, $2,500; R.H. Johnson Library, $2,000; St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, $2,000; PORA Lifelong Learning program, $1,000; Handicapables, $1,000; Interfaith Community Care, $1,000; and Sun City West Visitors Center, $1,000.

Woods said he asks group leaders for information on how the money will be used to help ensure they benefit residents of the community.

Bingo starts at 6:15 p.m. each Friday in the R.H. Johnson Social Hall, 19803 R.H. Johnson Blvd.

The budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year also was approved unanimously at the meeting.

Revenues totaling $417,518 — derived primarily from membership dues, business services and an agreement with the recreation centers to help out with the cost of CC&R enforcement — are included in the plan. The expenditures for the budget total $416,559, primarily for administrative costs.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.