GIVING SCENE
Bunco Bash raises $21,000 for the fight against breast cancer
Published: Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 27, 2012 at 1:17 p.m.
The Bunco Babes of Ocala's fourth annual Bunco Bash may not have sold out this year as usual, but the Babes still consider it their "best year yet."
Facts
Bottom Line
Event: Bunco Babes Ocala fourth annual Bunco Bash, Save the Lei-Dies
Number attending: 380, including volunteers
Ticket cost: $35
Results: $21,000 for the Michelle-O-Gram foundation
Number attending: 380, including volunteers
Ticket cost: $35
Results: $21,000 for the Michelle-O-Gram foundation
"Everyone loved our Hawaiian theme this time, and we raised $1,000 more than last year, which is really exciting for us," said Stacy Carroll, spokeswoman for the 12 "breast friends" known as Bunco Babes Ocala. The group meets monthly to play Bunco for fun and annually hosts a large-scale Bunco tournament at Hilton Ocala for the fight against breast cancer.
This year's late-March Luau, dubbed Save the Lei-Dies, raised $21,000 for the Michelle-O-Gram foundation, a local organization that helps women afford mammograms.
The $35 ticket cost included much more than the dice game tournament itself. The event also offered many festivities such as the Bunco Babes performing a dance routine to the "Hawaii Five-O" theme song. Also, participants danced to DJ music provided by Your Dream Event during Bunco breaks.
Two firemen from Marion County Fire Rescue showed up to sell leis and were "a big hit" with the nearly 400, mostly women, in attendance. And plenty of prizes were awarded.
Participant Christie Long was the Dice Diva, taking home the top tournament prize, a gold and diamond necklace designed and donated by Ocala jeweler Nancy Porter.
Porter herself won the 50/50 drawing prize, her portion totaling $863, but she donated it right back to the cause, noted Carroll. "Her generosity never ceases to amaze me," said Carroll.
GIVING SCENE
Bunco Bash raises $21,000 for the fight against breast cancer
Published: Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 27, 2012 at 1:17 p.m.
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The Survivor Diva of the evening was Kathy Nielsen; Angie Marcum won for most Buncos; Cheryl Baldwin won the most games; and the much-coveted Biggest Loser award went to Heather Clark, who travelled from Utah with her girlfriends to attend the tournament.
Among the many raffle items were a handmade quilt, donated by Phyllis Swain and quilted by Donna Michaud, and a Booze Bucket valued at $500. Another popular prize up for grabs was a vacation package, a six-night stay on the upper Rainbow River including restaurant gift certificates, kayaking, and an airboat tour.
The Bunco Babes' top sponsor, attorney Daniel Hightower, was recognized at the event with a special honor in memory of Kathi Nolan, a friend of the Babes who died of breast cancer. Hightower "has been incredibly generous from the beginning. Thanks to him, all of our sponsors, and everyone who attended, we're just tickled to death with the results this year," said Carroll.
"You can't imagine how shocked we were when we heard the final amount, especially in this economic time," said Sherry Roberts, who co-founded Michelle-O-Gram in 2009 in memory of her family-member Michelle Blauser-Standridge.
Funds from the tournament, Roberts noted, have allowed her to schedule mammograms for 73 local women, many of whom had been waiting since October.
"The Bunco Babes are unbelievable," said Roberts. "They are just 12 ordinary women and look what they can do."
For more information about the Bunco Babes Ocala, visit their Facebook page.
For more information about Michelle-O-Gram, visit its Facebook page or call 469-6006.
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Time for Bunco
The dice game brings people together for fun, laughs and charity
Host Tricia Taylor, left, rings the Bunco bell ending another winning game as Candy Homan, center, waits to get her card punched by Kaye Dees as they play Bunco with other members of the Ocala Bunco Babes at Taylor's residence in Silver Springs.
Jon Singley/CorrespondentPublished: Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, June 17, 2011 at 5:37 p.m.
When stay-at-home mom Alicia Angus moved to Gainesville in June 2010, she quickly became a lady of fame in her neighborhood off Archer Road.
“Aren't you the Bunco lady?” she'd often hear people ask when she picked up her 6-year-old son from elementary school.
Angus decided to begin a Bunco group shortly after she came to the area as a way to meet other mothers in the community. She passed out invitations and spread the word around her community pool hoping to entice at least the 12 people needed to play the dice game. “We didn't know any of our neighbors, and I really wanted to meet people,” said Angus, a mother of two. “Everyone ended up loving the idea of having a night out once a month to relax and have fun.”
Angus said she got the idea to bring women together around Bunco tables from childhood memories of her mother hosting Bunco parties at their home.
“I can remember being young and hearing the women getting rowdy,” said Angus, who decided to use her neighborhood clubhouse for the monthly get-togethers.
According to the World Bunco Association website, the game of Bunco dates back to the late 1800s when it was imported to San Francisco from England. The gambling game evolved into a popular parlor game in the 1920s and during Prohibition. Bunco resurged as a family game in the 1980s. A reported 27 million people played the game regularly in 2006, according to the World Bunco Association.
Bunco groups have started adding a philanthropic aspect to the game. For 12 Bunco-playing women in Ocala, their love of Bunco has helped them raise thousands of dollars for breast cancer research.
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Bunco Babes Ocala, a Bunco group that came together in 2008, hosted its first “Annual Bunco Tournament” in 2009, said Stacy Carroll, a member of the group. The tournament was comprised of 200 participants and raised $10,000 for the Breast Cancer Center Research Foundation, she said.
“The girls go crazy and have such a phenomenal time,” Carroll said. “We even have ladies that come from out of state to participate.”
The game, played with 12 people, nine dice and three tables, gives co-workers, neighbors and even strangers a chance to come together, talk, play and even win some money.
“You have to set aside time to see friends, catch up with people and have fun,” said Keystone Heights resident and longtime Bunco player Julie Bruey, who has been meeting with Bunco groups off and on since 1982. “Because the game is nothing but luck of the dice, you can really do a lot of socializing while playing.”
Bruey's current Bunco group, which was started in 2005 and is comprised primarily of fellow teachers, meets once a month with each player having the opportunity, or rather, responsibility, of hosting the get-together once a year.
“The one night a year it's at your house, it's horrible,” said Bruey, who added that the hostess is responsible for hors d'oeuvres, drinks, dinner and dessert for 12. “But the other 11 months, it's great.”
To begin play, the Bunco group is divided among three tables, and each table of four randomly divides into two temporary teams, according to the association website. When the “Head” table rings the bell to signal the start of round one, a player from each team anxiously tries to roll as many “ones” as possible. Each “one” rolled is a point. The player continues to roll their set of three dice until no “ones” are rolled, according to the website.
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Then it's on to round two, with the next player at the table trying for “twos,” and all the way through round six. The first of three sessions continues until one team from the head table scores 21 points or rolls three of a kind of the number of the present round, also known as a Bunco. Then, depending on which teams wins or loses, the women move to new chairs or even tables for the next session, according to the website.
“It's really a very simple game that doesn't require a lot of concentration,” said Angus, who plans to start a new Bunco group when she moves to Melbourne in June. “And you really get to move around and meet with a lot of people throughout the night.”
In addition to the socializing benefits, Bunco players also have the opportunity to make money at the end of the night, depending on how good, or even how bad, their scores rank among the group.
Before playing, Bruey said she and the other women each pay $10 to be divided at the end of the night. Among other payouts, $50 goes to the participant with the most Buncos and the loser receives a $10 cash prize, she said.
Some 360 people participated in the Annual Bunco Tournament in 2010 and this year, said Carroll. The tournament raised $17,000 and $20,000 respectively, all of which was donated to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society for “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” Carroll said.
“We were able to use something we love and have fun with to help support a good cause,” she said.
But the group still makes time to come together each month for an intimate night of Bunco with payouts for the players.
“We all have cocktails, we laugh, and we just enjoy each other's company,” Carroll said. “If you can roll dice, and you can count to three, then you can play Bunco.”
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THE GIVING SCENE
Making strides against breast cancer
Bunco Babes raise nearly $20,000 at annual tournament
Published: Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
Ocala's Bunco Babes have done it again. They successfully pulled off their annual Bunco Tournament on Feb. 19 at the Ocala Hilton with a sold-out crowd.
Facts
Bottom line:
Event: Bunco Babes Ocala third annual Bunco Tournament, “Welcome to Mardi Bras”
Number attending: 400, including volunteers
Ticket cost: $35
Results: More than $19,600 for Marion County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Number attending: 400, including volunteers
Ticket cost: $35
Results: More than $19,600 for Marion County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
The proceeds — $19,608 — will help the fight against breast cancer. That's about $2,500 more than last year, said spokeswoman Stacy Carroll, adding that donations are still coming in.
This year's event, she said, included a theme for the first time: “Welcome to Mardi Bras.” She said it was well received by the 400 people in attendance.
One participant, Loretta Welling, said one of the most impressive aspects of the event was that the Bunco Babes conveyed the message that “it's okay to go through breast cancer. There are a lot of people who go through this, and this group of girls lets them know, ‘You're not the only one out there. There is hope at the end of the tunnel.' ”
Also in attendance was Mel Toran, the executive director of the American Cancer Society's North Central Florida area, which covers 11 counties.
“My wife and I had a grand time and can't wait until next year's event,” he said, noting that the Bunco Babes are the top fundraising team for the Marion County Making Strides Against Breast Cancer effort thus far.
In addition to the dice game tournament itself, the event included plenty of other festivities such as an “artful bra” show, a Mardi Gras-style mask competition, and a game with bead necklaces.
One highlight of the evening was when the 12 “Bunco Babes” wowed the crowd with a dance routine to the tune of “Don't Mess with My Toot Toot,” which had been remixed by “Master Sound Expert” Ace Eason, to sound like “Don't Mess with My Ta-Tas.”
Published: Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.
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Eason also teamed with Jordan Raney during the tournament to take donations for the 50/50 drawing, which brought in the most ever — more than $1,500.
Partnering with the Babes for the first time was a nonprofit foundation called Michelle-O-Gram, which sold chance-drawing tickets for a hand-made quilt, with proceeds going toward their cause. They collected $760, enough to pay for five women who cannot afford mammograms.
The top winners for the evening were the “Survivor Diva,” Sheri Henderson and “Dice Diva,” Monica Hawfler.
Carroll noted that the Hilton donated the use of the facility and other sponsors such as Baby Cakes Tasteries, Nexus Studio, Fugazy Productions and Your Dream Events, as well as volunteers through the American Cancer Society, made the event extra special.
The two major sponsors, she said, were Daniel Hightower, P.A. and “Ocala's Lady Jeweler,” Nancy Porter.
“The cause itself is, of course, what it's all about, and every year, people just embrace the cause and they embrace us,” said Carroll. “We are just 12 girls who believe in a cause, and every year, we are overwhelmed by the amount of community support we receive.”
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http://www.ocala.com/article/20091213/ARTICLES/912131001
Making strides toward a cure
Silver Springs walk raises funds for the fight against breast cancer
Published: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
The goal for the first ever Marion County breast cancer walk held by the American Cancer Society in late October was to raise $35,000.
That number was blown out of the water, according to Cara Newby, executive director for the Marion County Unit of the American Cancer Society.
More than 1,500 participants took part in the 5K non-competitive Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk through Silver Springs attraction, raising more than $125,000 for breast cancer services, programs and research.
"We are in a time of need," said Newby, "but the community really supported the cause. Everybody gave a little, and it all added up."
Newby noted that much of the money will remain in Marion County and will help pay for wigs, prostheses, support groups, trips to appointments and housing, as well as research for the disease, which affects one in eight women.
During the event, which began in the Wild Waters parking lot, 162 local breast cancer survivors were honored with a special breakfast along with coffee provided by Starbucks. The women were each given a carnation while local vocalist Wendy Wiseman sang "Hope Found a Way," a song she wrote for survivors.
Wiseman also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," and the band Take 2 also performed.
Walkers included men and women, and Newby described the age range by saying, "You could push them in a stroller or push them in a wheelchair."
She also noted that shortcuts were provided during the "peaceful and scenic" route through the park for participants not able to complete the entire walk, some of whom were breast cancer patients undergoing treatments.
Published: Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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There was no entry fee for the event; funds were donated through company sponsorships and fundraising efforts of individuals and teams walking in the event.
One team participating was Bunco Babes of Ocala, who set up a booth and collected cell phones to be recycled with proceeds benefiting the cause. Prior to the event, the 12 women held a mini-Bunco tournament and raised funds for the walk, but even so, they aren't done raising money for breast cancer, said spokesperson Stacy Carroll.
Because each of the women knows someone affected by the disease, they hope to increase the results of the Making Strides effort to more than $140,000 by hosting a large tournament on Jan. 8, 2010, at the Ocala Hilton.
"If you can roll dice and count to six, then you can play," said Carroll, adding that the tournament will be a fun ladies' night-out.
So far, the Bunco Babes have sold 100 of 360 tickets for the event at $30 each. For more information, call 361-7983 or visitwww.buncobabesocala.com.
Event: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Number attending: More than 1,500
Ticket cost: Donations
Results: More than $125,000
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THE GIVING SCENE
Bunco tournament a big success
Published: Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 7:05 a.m.
When it comes to raising funds for cancer research, the Bunco Babes of Ocala have found a fun way to do it.
Enlarge |
Jennifer Mobley, left, was the most buncos winner of the Bunco for Breast Cancer Charity Fundraiser tournament last month. She is shown with Candy Homan, president of Bunco Babes of Ocala, which hosted the event.
Bunco Babes of OcalaThe group hosted a Bunco for Breast Cancer Charity Fundraiser last month, and came away with $10,000 that will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
“It was awesome,” said Sheila Roach, vice president of the Bunco Babes of Ocala.
About 200 people attended the event at the Marion/Ocala Board of Realtors, which was decorated in lots of pink and white for the night. Think of the pink ribbons that have come to symbolize the fight against breast cancer. Table decorations included stackable boxes that looked just like the dice you use to play Bunco, a game that organizers say anyone can learn.
The event started off with hors d’oeuvres and perusal of the silent auction items. Bo, from the Dave, Beth and Bo Morning Show on WTRS FM, served as emcee of the event and kept things moving. In between the rounds of Bunco, the auction and raffle items were announced.
Sponsors of the event included Woodlea Gardens, Crystal Deodorant, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Daniel L. Hightower, P.A, Klaus Fine Jewelry and Christine L. Harter, P.A.
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The Bunco Babes, which consists of 12 local women who gather monthly to play Bunco, got the idea for the local tournament after winning a nationwide Prilosec OTC Charity Challenge Contest early last year. They began raising money and holding garage sales to help fund the tournament. The 12 even worked together on a quilt that was raffled off that night and raised $680. Ticket sales at $30 per person, sponsorships, the silent auction and raffle items together combined for a $10,000 result.
Roach said the group did not have much difficulty getting sponsors and others to help with this event.
“We have found that, unfortunately, so many people have experience with some type of cancer,” she said. “We chose to raise funds for breast cancer research because a close friend of ours was diagnosed with it. Everyone you talk to, they know someone who has cancer or have dealt with it themselves.”
Because of the event’s success, Roach said the group is planning to make it an annual event.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “You have such a good time, and you’re raising money for a good cause. How can you lose?”
As with any Bunco tournament, there were winners at the end. Dice Diva winner was Elaine Woefel, who had the most wins and the most buncos. She won a $2,000 14 karat gold and diamond necklace from Klaus Fine Jewelry. Other winners were Jennifer Mobley, most buncos; Kelly Wise, most games; Trish Freeman, survivor winner; and Amanda Carroll, biggest loser.
BOTTOM LINE
EVENT: Bunco Babes of Ocala’s Bunco for Breast Cancer Charity Fundraiser
NUMBER ATTENDING: 201
TICKET PRICE: $30
RESULTS: $10,000 raised which will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
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Bunco Babes will hold breast cancer charity fundraiser
Kaye Dees, center, tries to roll a bunco as other members of the Bunco Babes of Ocala watch on Dec. 16. From left are Candy Homan, Stacy Carroll, Lori Zirkle and Shelia Roach.
BRUCE ACKERMANPublished: Monday, January 5, 2009 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 5, 2009 at 6:25 a.m.
While many families were preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Bunco Babes of Ocala were busy looking ahead.
Facts
If you go
WHAT: Bunco for Breast Cancer Charity Fundraiser
WHEN: Doors open 5 p.m. Jan. 17
WHERE:Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors, 3105 N.E. 14th St.
COST:$30
CONTACT:www.buncobabesofocala.com
WHEN: Doors open 5 p.m. Jan. 17
WHERE:Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors, 3105 N.E. 14th St.
COST:$30
CONTACT:www.buncobabesofocala.com
On Jan. 17, the women will host their first Bunco for Breast Cancer Charity Fundraiser and all proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The Bunco Babes said they decided to organize the tournament after meeting Mary Green, the founder of Buncos for Breast Cancer, while competing in the 2008 Prilosec OTC Bunco Championship in Las Vegas.
"It was so wonderful to speak with her," said Candy Homan, the group's president. "She gave us so much wonderful information about hosting fundraisers that we got really excited about it. She really inspired us to do something on our own to help people."
Group members said they began planning the event in July, holding garage sales to raise enough money to host it. The tournament boasts a number of sponsors, including Woodlea Gardens, Crystal Deodorant, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, attorney Daniel L. Hightower, Klaus Fine Jewelry and attorney Christine Harter.
"The response we've had from the community has just been incredible," said Bunco Babes' Vice President Sheila Roach. "Everyone has been so positive about it. They've really opened their arms to us."
In addition to the Bunco games taking place at each table, the tournament will feature a silent auction and prizes including a diamond pendant necklace valued at more than $2,000, two tickets to the Florida/Alabama basketball game in February, an airplane ride and a Brighton gift basket.
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Radio personality "Bo" from the "Dave, Beth and Bo Morning Show" on WTRS will serve as master of ceremonies.
The Bunco Babes will have memorial displays set up in memory of loved ones who lost their battles with cancer and in honor of those who have survived.
The members urge people to attend the tournament even if they have never played Bunco. They say the game is simple enough for anyone to learn, which is what makes it so enjoyable.
"If you can roll dice, you can play Bunco," said Stacy Carroll. "There's no magic formula involved. It's a fun and easy game to play, plus you're playing for a worthy cause and you have the chance to win great prizes. What's not to like?"
The group hopes to sell out the event at more than 200 tickets, earning $10,000 in the process. In fact, due to all of the positive feedback they have received so far, members say they already are taking steps to plan for the following year.
"We've learned so much from this entire process," Homan said. "So, that will make planning for next year much easier. It's been a lot of hard work, but in the end it was all worth it. Whatever we can give [to the foundation], we want to give wholeheartedly."
