After a welcome and heartfelt gratitude from Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada, who acknowledged all team members who volunteered their time, the first number was called by Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos, who was being assisted by Loovi Herrera on stage.

The first game ended in a tie and Paul Johnson and Dione Kitchen had to take part in a tiebreaker contest facilitated by Corryn Salgado-Flores. She said it is a trending Tik Tok challenge to see who can get a three-foot-long Fruit Roll-up into their mouth the fastest without using their hands.

Johnson, who emerged victorious, donated half of his $250 winnings back to the preschool while the crowd applauded his generosity.

The second game ended in a three-way tie and the tiebreaker this time had contestants placing an Oreo cookie onto their forehead and without using their hands, working it down into their mouth. After several attempts, and many replacement cookies being handed out, Janis Ayal from Pechanga was the winner.

Gordon Placencia was the only winner in game 3 and the final Blackout Bingo game resulted in two players participating in two tiebreakers since the cash prize was $500. It was Chanel Zelaya versus preschool student Ignacio “Iggy” Alcala. After Chanel won the Fruit Roll-up challenge, they were both given a chance at an axe throwing contest, using plastic axes. Although they both got one axe on the target, Chanel was given the overall win after combining both contests.

Adding to the anticipation of the night were 80 outstanding raffle prizes, most of them in cellophane-wrapped baskets. Those who purchased raffle tickets deposited them into the boxes in front of the gifts they most wanted. There was also a 50/50 drawing that gave one lucky ticket holder $1,089.50 to take home.

But the biggest win of the night was seeing the community support for the preschool. Vallejos reached out to all the departments and requested volunteers and was pleased with the positive response.

“All these people came together because they wanted to see these children go to their year-end event,” Vallejos said. “I am so proud of these people and the team. This is why I work for Soboba. Unlike any other Tribe, this Tribal government is like a community, and you can count on them.”

From those who work at the preschool to Tribal and non-Tribal community members, each and every one of those who volunteered their time stepped up in a big way.

“It was a huge collaborative effort with a huge goal, and we made it,” Vallejos said. “I would like to thank Andy Silvas and the Parks and Rec team, Human Resources, the Soboba Casino Resort marketing team, Noli students, Soboba Youth Council, parents and grandparents and actually the entire valley for their assistance and support.”

He was also thankful to Estrada and his assistant Karla Valdez, Christian Aceves from the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, Soboba Casino Resort team members, and Soboba Foundation President Dondi Silvas who said she was happy to volunteer her time to the event since she is a “Glamma” who has her granddaughter attending the preschool. “It was just so nice to see such a great turnout,” she said.

Vallejos also thanked the IT department as well as members of Soboba Tribal Council and Noli Indian School students who pitched in. Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado enlisted the aid of her two children to help where needed while she assisted with selling 50/50 and raffle tickets.

“Holy Smokes! What a great event!” Mojado said. “It’s great seeing the entire community here and not only those from Soboba. It’s heartwarming to see this kind of support for our youngest Tribal members.”

Guests were treated to a delicious Italian dinner courtesy of Chef Anita Morillo and her team, which included Lead Cook Jacob Rivera. It rivaled any fine dining restaurant with three choices of pasta entrees. Added to that were fresh vegetables, a salad and breadsticks. A corner was set aside for parents of preschoolers to host a sweet treats and bake sale, bringing in additional funds.

Carrie Garcia’s son Cygnus is a preschooler and her daughter, Clover, is in kindergarten this year. She was pleased with the turnout and is looking forward to going with her children to Legoland.

“I like to see this type of community support, and getting everything ready for this event it was nice to see the community’s involvement,” she said. “For me, having my children attend Soboba’s preschool is a generational thing. I went there when I was their age, and it means a lot to me to have them be students there.”

Vallejos said he was overwhelmed by the generosity of those that donated raffle prizes. From Chamber of Commerce members to Tribal Administration office employees and the Silvas and Placencia families, the donations added to the excitement of the night as guests decided where to best deposit their tickets.

Hemet Mayor Joe S. Males, who attended with his wife, daughter, son and a dear friend, said his wife was happy to win one of the raffle prizes she wanted. He said they all love playing Bingo and he couldn’t think of anything better than to spend time with his family and also support Soboba.

“We had a great time and were amused by all the great ideas for winning tiebreakers; we couldn’t stop laughing and we enjoyed all those who were helping and directing the evening,” Males said. “My overall impression of the event was that it was spectacular. The coordination of all the volunteers was right on and they were all volunteering with a smile. I believe that I had more fun at this Bingo Fundraiser than any other Bingo game I’ve attended.”

Vallejos said the coordination of the event was handled like any event for Soboba where they ask people from different departments to participate and get approval from their managers, who sometimes get involved themselves.

“Soboba is known for its community involvement,” Vallejos said. “Here at Soboba, the team is involved in the community, and if you’re invested into this community, you’ll be a lifelong employee of the Tribe.”

Soboba Tribal Elder Rosemary Morillo was impressed with the diversity of support shown at the event. “I love when our community and surrounding communities support our schools and I love that our preschoolers are benefitting from this event,” she said.

Hemet residents and friends for 25-plus years Rita Neisler and Dora Ramirez had been at a line-dancing event before heading to Soboba’s Bingo Night Fundraiser. They like playing Bingo and were happy that their fun night out was also supporting a good cause.

“At the end of the night when the guests had left, all the volunteers who were cleaning up were tired but so happy. They were proud of themselves, and deservedly so,” Vallejos said.

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A graduation requirement for seniors at Noli is the completion of 20 hours of community service and a few pitched in at the event to earn some of those hours. Suzette Almada and Brianna Caserez helped out by dispensing bingo cards and plastic chips, verifying winning cards and more. Caller Raymond Russell, with the help of a megaphone, was able to keep the numbers rolling along.

Science teacher Sabrina Sobel and AVID/ASB coordinator Lorin Alvarez were on hand to keep things on track as more than 60 players anxiously awaited their turn to hopefully call out “BINGO!” Math teacher Kekai Bryant-Williams was happy to participate as were other staff members from the Soboba Reservation school that serves Native American students in grades 6-12. Noli School Board members Lucille Briones, Johnna Valdez and Antonia Venegas also brought family members to enjoy the event.

Soboba Tribal Preschool teacher Lenora “Ponie” Mojado was joined by her two sons and her mother. The lucky family went home with lots of prizes, with Mac Pineda, 9, being the night’s first winner. His brother Eli, 7, won a few rounds later, as did his mom and grandma. The preschool is hosting a Bingo Night fundraiser on March 21 and Mojado said this was good practice for that one.

Prize packages contained STEM toys and games related to the books inside that had been purchased at Barnes & Noble. Each contained popular titles for all ages and the Noli students helped staff bundle them together. With Legos and Squishmallows galore, it was hard for young children to decide which plastic-wrapped package they most wanted to take home.

Guests were also treated to a delicious spaghetti dinner that included garlic bread and salad that was prepared in-house by Community Lead Cook Jacob Rivera.

Bingo numbers were called, and cards were filled until a total of five players won. Then the cards were cleared, and another five games were played, or less if there were five winners. No one could win more than once so there could be more winners throughout the evening.

“This event has been going on for years,” Post said. “We receive $35,000 to $60,000 a year through a reading grant that allows us to restock our library, provide necessary textbooks for our students, give awards and prizes for meeting reading goals and to celebrate Dr. Seuss week.”

He said under the grant, they are always looking for ways to celebrate reading and are happy they developed a way to give back to the families and community members that support the students and Noli school. The annual event started as a small venture but with the help of Noli Reading teacher Jacquelin Phillips, it has grown immensely over the years.

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As a retired senior citizen, you have to be aware of the need to stay active both physically and mentally in order to maintain good health. Fortunately, Hemet and San Jacinto provide multiple options for seniors to exercise their bodies and minds so age does not become a burden but rather a period in your life to enjoy.

If you are into the intellectual pursuits, the Hemet Senior Computer Club is for you. This organization meets every third Monday of the month at Valley Wide Recreation Center, 43935 E. Acacia Ave., 10 am to noon.

The Hemet Historic Theatre has a Classic Films showings scheduled for every Monday and Tuesday. Next Monday look for the l960 film “Little Shop of Horrors” and for Tuesday the l961 movie “Night Tide”

Every Tuesday the American Legion Post 53, located at 124 N. Ramona St. in Hemet offers Early Bird Bingo starts at 5:30 pm. If your preference is dancing, every Wednesday the Senior Dance Group opens its doors from 6:30 to 9:30 at Hemet West Clubhouse with a variety of musical groups.

Or if you are a widowed person the Widowed Persons Activities Club at 305 E. Devonshire Ave. meets every second Friday of the month at 1:30 pm. Call 951-658-8657 for information.

In addition to the above activities, our community is lucky to have multiple museums like the Hemet Museum housed in one of the oldest structures in downtown Hemet with extensive exhibits of local memorabilia; The San Jacinto Museum and Estudillo Mansion with a vast collection of local photographs and artifacts; Western Science Center housing fossils and artifacts and a 270 degree movie screen that immerses viewers in the history of the valley; Estudillo Heritage Park Water Conservation Education Garden whose slogan is “Keep it Water- Wise, Keep it Beautiful” will please your eyes and nose with countless colors and aromas.

These venues and activities will keep your body and mind occupied with something that you will remember and want to share with your family and loved ones. For a full up to date calendar of Things to do in Hemet and San Jacinto, check out the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle’s D section for a running ten-day schedule.

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