Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Chick-fil-A on Tuesday drew quite the crowd for bingo. Players took colored chips out of small Chick-fil-A cups and placed them as numbers were called out. Ivan Helms, Chick-fil-A employee, talked about how many people saw bingo as a game for the elderly, but that it drew people of a diverse range of ages. He mentioned they have been hosting bingo for around 4 to 5 months, and that the operator of the Americus Chick-fila, Meribeth McNeill, came up with the idea.

Willene Smith, first time attendee, played with her daughter, Mandie Mailhot, and grand-daughter Ivy Oliver. Smith works at Lenny’s farmers market on Saturdays, tending the Stuckey Sister’s table.

When asked why they had come, Simth and Mailhot told how Smith’s grand-daughter had invited them. Her great-grandson, Lane Oliver, won the first bingo round. Smith talked about what she appreciated the most about the game, saying “Anything that helps my mind.”

Mailhot added “And she’s competitive.” Mailhot is a teacher in Schley County who is out for the summer. Like her mom it’s her first-time playing bingo at Chick-fil-A. She’s been a teacher for 30 years, and a teacher at Schley for 26 years going on 27.

After Bingo, she summed up the experience: “Bingo at Chick-fil-A today was a wonderful, family oriented, community-oriented experience and I plan to go back this summer, every Tuesday when they have it.”

She talked about how her grandson reacted to winning the first round of bingo. “He was very competitive and excited.” She added that he was looking forward to next Tuesday.

Helms also commented, telling how Bingo had grown from just a few tables to the current size. “Last Tuesday we had our biggest crowd yet.”

Chick-fil-A hosts bingo on Tuesday’s starting at 9 am.