Local heroes: Community donates pottery, didgeridoo as Canmore bingo moves online

Who do you feel has been a LOCAL HERO during the COVID-19 pandemic in Calgary and southern Alberta, be it on the front lines or in the community helping others? We want to know for our new series paying tribute to these local heroes. Tell us which person or team you want to nominate and why via email to CBC Calgary reporter Meghan Grant at meghan.grant@cbc.ca.

When a didgeridoo unexpectedly arrived on her doorstep this week, Randi Lynn Rinaldi thought to herself, "bingo!"

Rinaldi used to call bingo on Friday nights at the Canmore Legion, but she has figured out a way to keep the game going from home over Zoom. Last Sunday, she had about 50 people playing.

"I thought to myself; [this is] very doable over Zoom and it could be super fun with friends, family, other locals, other people I would see at the legion. So it was kind of a no-brainer."

And after giving away prizes from her own home the first week, people in the community are now leaving items for prizes on Rinaldi's front steps.

"People are loving it," said Rinaldi. "I like how it's bringing joy to other people."

Rinaldi buys all the bingo cards herself and distributes them to people in the community and beyond through drop-offs and mail.

Rinaldi has spent about $100 on cards.

"Six weeks of fun for $100 for 50 plus people, it doesn't get much cheaper," said the Canmore resident.

The first week, the prizes came from Rinaldi's home and included an old puzzle and pre-mixed drinks.

"I gave away what was a six pack of gin and tonic but I drank one so there was only five."

This week, the prize pile includes the four-foot long Australian wind instrument, a Halloween costume, wine and handmade pottery. 

The activity has become popular with Canmore families. 

"How families are excited to play on Sunday nights is a bit surprising to me, I thought … people who typically play bingo might like it but a lot of the people are pretty new to bingo … the kids are excited to play."

On Sunday mornings, Rinaldi sends out the Zoom link and a note about which games will be played. 

People then join in for games, which take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

"This gives them a bit of a sense of community or normalcy."