Posted by John Borst on May 21, 2020
With Dryden Rotary’s most recent announcement of the approval of another $53,000 in grants to local and area organizations The Rotary Club of Dryden has breached the 2-million-dollar mark in grants.
 
Dryden Rotary Radio Bingo is the source of those funds. Rotary Radio Bingo begun 15 years ago. It was the brainchild of Rtn. John Carlucci. In its first year about $60,000 was raised. It took nine years to reach the first $1,000,000 plateau. But only six years to reach the second million. That is 2.75 times faster or an average profit of $166,000 per year.  
 
Thanks, must go to all those Rotarians who volunteer every week from October to April to manage the CKDR broadcast hour.  It requires, 5 Rotarians, three to manage the phones, one to call the numbers and another to turn the ball machine by hand each week.
 
Through CKDR, the games reach the communities, of the Red Lake area, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout, and Ignace as well as Dryden/Vermilion Bay. Merchants in each municipality plus Wabigoon Lake First National sell the cards each week.
 
For those wanting more detail the following power point in video format based on the 2015-16 year is available.