Cash prizes, gift cards, drinks, food and fun await the community at an event hosted by William Woods University’s communication senior seminar.
Students in the class are exploring the “Digital Divide,” a social issue that refers to the gap between individuals who have access to information and technology and those who do not.
The class has put together a bingo fundraiser to raise money for the Callaway County Public Library, which provides Internet access free of charge. The fundraiser will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Post Office Bar and Grill.
There will be 10 rounds of bingo, as well as a 50/50 raffle, and many opportunities to win prizes and gifts throughout the event. Attendees may come and go as they please throughout the rounds.
Bingo cards will be available for purchase at the door. The charge is $3 per card or $10 for five bingo cards. Raffle tickets are $2 each.
“I’ve never played bingo or been in a public bingo setting ever,” Julia Wells, a WWU senior communication major, said. “It will be interesting because some people take bingo very seriously.”
The Callaway County Public Library will use the proceeds to upgrade the wireless Internet access. Some Callaway County residents use the library as their main or only source of Internet access. The upgraded access will positively impact the lives of library patrons and community members.
“The event will be a fun way to get the community involved in our cause and share some education on the social issue of the ‘Digital Divide,’” Alyssa McManus, a WWU senior communication major, said,
In studying about the “Digital Divide,” the students noted how the Callaway County Public Library makes strides to bridge the technology gap in the community and decided the library should be the monetary beneficiary.
“The ‘Digital Divide’ issue is extremely fixable and preventable,” McManus said. “We can help our community have a better future with more awareness and maybe one day the ‘divide’ could be closed.”
She added, “The library not only offers computers and Internet access, but they also put on classes to educate community members on how to use such things. I am so happy we are working to raise money for them.”
For more information, contact the students at digitaldividewwu@gmail.com.