A local sports bar is ready to rock Ucluelet into the Christmas spirit with two fundraising events this Saturday.
Officials Sports Lounge will hold its 8th annual Christmas Turkey Bingo as well as an inaugural Christmas community jam session on Dec. 12.
Funds raised at both events will go towards local charities with the jam session’s bounty earmarked specifically for the Food Bank on the Edge
Bingo will start at 3 p.m. with cards running $2 each and prize packs being dished out throughout the afternoon.
“It’s a nice inexpensive afternoon for everybody and a good way to raise money,” Officials’ owner Dale Holliday told the Westerly.
“Everybody needs assistance one way or another and this is a good way for us to help out.”
The new Christmas community jam kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be hosted by Geoff Johnson who told the Westerly he plans to show up with all kinds of musical gear for locals to play on the open stage.
“Anyone who wants to come down and play is welcome to,” he said.
“We thought that was a good match, if we’re raising money for the community to have the community kind of be the entertainment as well.”
He said it is important for local musicians to support the Coast that supports them.
“Musicians and artists always have to acknowledge that our job is to provide a luxury and a distraction and a pleasant time and entertainment to the community, but the community doesn’t exist if we can’t give back to the more tangible needs of the community like food and other charitable things,” he said.
“It’s really cool at the end of the day to see that I can pick up a guitar and have even a small part at making my community stronger.”
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca