Staff report

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Area Ladies (PALS) is preparing for the annual Fall Designer Purse Bingo, on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. The games will begin at 2 p.m.
Admission to the event is $21.50 online or $20 from a PALS member, at the Scioto County Welcome Center or Morgan Brothers Jewelers. The cost is $25 at the door.
There are a lot of reasons ladies get involved and become PALS members. To president and longtime member, Tami Davis, the answer is obvious.
“I think it was instilled in me long ago that I should do all I can to help people. If I can help people through PALS, that’s what I want to do,” Davis explained. “For the longest time, I was involved in events at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Programs like Hollydays and Festival of Trees, the Horse Show, working in the fair booth, working to raise money for the Guilds to use to help the hospital with new equipment, build the Friends Center, etc. When the Friends of SOMC group was no longer, several of the ladies who had been involved wanted to stay involved and formed PALS. I was one of the founding members. We decided we would work to make a difference in the community through fundraising and helping others.”
The non-profit spends the year fundraising through a reverse raffle, held in the spring, purse bingo, and other activities to raise funding that they then divert to other non-profits who offer social programming, community development, and more. The group also gives scholarships every year.
In addition to fundraising for grants, the group also volunteers at the MLK Breakfast and recently donated Christmas trees and decorations to the residents of Hisle Park Apartments, with the help of Big Lots, which made the season possible for many of the young community members.
“We continue to host Purse Bingo because ladies love to have fun, win purses, and support our efforts to help our community,” Davis said. “It’s a fun afternoon for the ladies to get away while some of their husbands watch football. It also gives them time to spend with friends and feel the excitement from the winners—including themselves, hopefully!”
In addition to the bingo portion of the afternoon, several other prizes, including other designer purses will be given away. Jets will be present with popcorn and truffles for sale and food will be available in the concession stand. Participants can also take a chance at split the pot.
“We will also have a raffle for a ‘Money Purse’ which includes a Kate Spade Weekender bag, lots of travel-related items, and $500 in cash,” Davis said. “Those tickets are available for pre-sale as well from any PALS member or on our website.”
Davis said that members of PALS are excited for their continued success, with 2024 being a standout year.
“This year has been a great year for PALS,” Davis said. “Since our inception, we have been able to provide over $200,000 through our grant process to help with various organizations’ needs such as the Greenlawn Cemetery project, Cirque d’ Art, the American Red Cross, SOMC Hospice Center, PAAC, Shawnee State Arts, etc.”
“PALS would love to have other ladies join us. All they need to do is go to our website and complete an application,” Davis said.
Visit their website for more information, www.portmouthpals.org.