Super Bowl Bingo sends two to Tampa

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- B-4, I-22, N-43, G-56 and O-74 were some of the many numbers called throughout the night at the annual Super Bowl Bingo event held Saturday at the Pope Club. It was a night in which many people walked home winners: winners of cash prizes up to $400, winners of high definition flat screen 50" televisions, winners of National Football League memorabilia including signed jerseys, helmets and footballs and an overall grand prize winner of a trip for two to this year's Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. 

The much anticipated event draws an annual attendance of more than 450 people. Not only do Pope and Fort Bragg members attend, but those who have been stationed at Pope before and have since departed come back for this event. It is one of Pope's signature events and it is definitely the largest event for the Pope Club. 

The day started out with an early bird round of bingo and those who arrived before 5 p.m. were able to partake in the buffet being offered. At exactly 5 p.m. the first round of NFL memorabilia was given away and the first prize won was an authentically framed Dan Marino Miami Dolphins jersey. Master Sgt. John Goubeaux, 43rd Airlift Wing Safety Office, took home this first prize, but it would not be his last. 

As the night progressed on, Sergeant Goubeaux, who had purchased $400 in raffle tickets, took home three more prizes to include a 50" HD flat screen TV and two authentically signed helmets. 

"I was deployed last year and missed out on this event," said Sergeant Goubeaux. "I am absolutely excited about being here and having my number called. I don't know anywhere else I could go and have a chance to win the things I am winning. Anytime you win, it has to be fun." 

Sergeant Goubeaux said he intended on keeping all his prizes and giving some to his wife as a gift. "I am so lucky to be able to have something as a part of history and I know they are going to be good conversation pieces for my house." 

Not everyone who wins a prize walks home with it. Everyone is given the option of keeping their item or auctioning it off to a willing buyer who was in attendance. 

Lt. Col. Donald Eller, 43rd AW Staff Judge Advocate, won the authentically signed and framed Emmitt Smith Dallas Cowboys jersey, but instead of keeping it he elected to auction it right there. The auction went back and forth between two members until finally Special Agent Janice Joseph, who takes leave from Randolph Air Force Base in Texas each year for this event, won at a cost of $650. 

SA Joseph said she comes each year for this event; she takes her leave, rents a room and a rental car, buys her ticket and comes just to win or purchase Dallas Cowboys memorabilia. She has been attending Super Bowl Bingo since 2002. 

"I really don't even care about the bingo games," said SA Joseph. "I come to have fun, hopefully win some NFL stuff and head home with a few more Dallas Cowboys items for my collection. This event is worth every dollar I spend and I wouldn't miss it for the world." 

After a round of giving away prizes, the cash prize bingo games start with the lowest prize being $300 and the highest amount being $400. After a game of bingo, the next round of NFL prize giveaways commences. This continues throughout the evening with 10 rounds of bingo and 10 rounds of prize giveaways. 

Robert Grover, Pope Special Activities Committee President, is a sponsor of the annual event. He said he really enjoyed this event and looked forward to having some fun.
"I love watching everyone having fun and enjoying each other's camaraderie," said Mr. Grover. "We have been sponsoring this event for the last five or six years and it is definitely money well spent." 

Retired Master Sgt. Bill Bedell and his wife Tammy have been coming to this event for the last several years. Sergeant Bedell retired from Pope and now lives in the Fayetteville area. 

"This event is so exciting and I love watching the auctions," said Sergeant Bedell. "My wife and I arrived here at the Pope Club this morning at 9 just to guarantee we would get good seats up front. We have been doing that for the last five years and it is all in the fun of the event. 

Although Sergeant Bedell and his wife did not win anything this year, in years past they have won three times and took home a Steve Smith Carolina Panthers signed helmet, a Dan Marino Miami Dolphins signed jersey and a Gale Sayers Chicago Bears signed jersey. 

As the night wore on the anticipation for the final bingo game was getting to everyone. This particular game is called a "Black-out" and it means that all the numbers on a card must be called before a bingo is won. 

As the final set of NFL memorabilia was given out, Pope volunteers walked around and sold additional cards for the final game. Cards sold for $5 or three for $10 and they were selling like hotcakes. Some people had up to 10 cards with three chances to win on each card for a total of 30 chances to win the grand prize of an all expense paid trip for two to the Super Bowl, which will take place on Feb. 1. 

The numbers were called and after the 50th number was called out you could tell many were getting close to winning. G-56 was called and Ronna Garrett yelled "Bingo" and ran to the front to claim her prize. 

As the other 449 let out a sigh after not being this year's winner, Mrs. Garrett was full of excitement and disbelief as she had won the grand prize and was this year's lone winner. 

"When I saw the last number I need pop up on the screen I began to have heart palpitations," said Mrs. Garrett. "It was so exciting to see the last three numbers I needed and when that last number hit I could hardly contain myself from yelling 'Bingo' before the bingo caller called the number. Everyone at my table knew I had won before I called 'Bingo' as it was clearly evident in the excitement I showed." 

The Garrett's had not won anything else that evening but Robert Garrett had won the Super Bowl Bingo grand prize back in 1998. They have been attending together since 1999 and said they looked forward to this event each year. 

"I have never nor do I play bingo outside of Super Bowl Bingo," said Mrs. Garrett. "We are not bingo players, however we love the Pope Club and the Super Bowl Bingo itself. Great prizes, lots of food, drink and fun with other football fans." 

Once again the Pope Annual Super Bowl Bingo was a smashing success, with winners all around. Not just those who took home something tangible, but those who made friends, enjoyed in the camaraderie and had a great night of fun.