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It’s not a drag at this bingo

Monthly event supports efforts of Immanuel Shelter in Rehoboth Beach
A table full of Coastal Club residents pose for a photo during a break. The group also took a collection to aid the shelter. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
Ron MacArthur
February 23, 2017
Rex Rogosch, who usually dresses in drag for the event, and Jennell Collins (Jerome Simpson) explain the rules of the game to those who admit they are “bingo virgins.”
As her friend, Russell Stucki of Rehoboth Beach looks on, Marie LaDuca stuffs her bingo winnings of $25 in a safe place.
Mitch Selbiger of Rehoboth Beach is intent on making sure he doesn’t miss any numbers on his bingo card.
The colorful bingo balls begin to fill spaces as numbers are called.
Mrs. Lewes Elissa Troise-Greco explains to Jennell her support for Project Sweet Peas to raise awareness of the issues surrounding premature birth and infant loss.
A daub here and a daub there can lead to bingo.
Jennell has a handful of cash for bingo winner Joe Sakaduski of Lewes.
Volunteer David King has a lot of 50-50 tickets to sell during the event to benefit Immanuel Shelter.
Diane Kane of Rehoboth Beach is delighted that she won the fourth game of the night. She donated her winnings back to the shelter.
“Bingo” yells Kathy Gantz of Lewes, who donated her winnings to Immanuel Shelter.
Three bingo players are serious about paying attention as numbers are called to fill the card during the night’s final game.
It’s time for the monthly drag queen comedy bingo to benefit Immanuel Shelter.
Shelter board member Rex Rogosch calls out a number during one of six games during a fun-filled night of bingo.
The event’s largest crowd to date fills All Saints’ Episcopal Church Parish Hall.
Jennell, left, hands over cash for winning the last bingo game of the night to Ruth Lamothe of Rehoboth Beach, who made a donation back to the shelter.

It’s always a little unpredictable when Anna Rexia’s drag queen comedy bingo comes around each month. All proceeds from the event help support Immanuel Shelter’s Code Purple services for homeless in the Rehoboth Beach and Lewes areas.

Organizer Rex Rogosch, aka Anna Rexia, said the Feb. 15 event was the largest to date, and extra tables had to be set up. “We did not anticipate this crowd – it’s great,” he said. In addition, the $2,500 raised during the night was a record. Most of the winners donated their prizes to the organization.

The next benefit bingo will take place at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Rogosch said because of special birthdays in March, bingo pots would be sweetened. “It’s going to be birthday bingo, and we will be dressed in green that night,” said Jennell Collins, aka Jerome Simpson.

As he looked over the crowd, Rogosch, who is also a shelter board member, said he never anticipated the drag bingo would become such a popular event.

The shelter, located at 37439 Oyster Rock Road in Rehoboth Beach, is open Dec. 1 through April. For more information, phone 1-888-634-9992 or go to www.immanuelshelter.org.

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