Lake Charles seniors have a little more to be thankful for this holiday season. The Ward 3 Marshal’s Office held its second annual Bingo with a Purpose at the Ward 3 Recreation Center Tuesday. Vicki LeBleu was the $200 blackout winner. Doris Curtis plans to use her winnings for a monthly bill.

Not a single person walked away empty-handed, and there were more than 600 people in attendance, mostly seniors. Fifteen people bingoed for $100 cash, and the final blackout game was for $200. Plus there were door prizes. Hunt’s Brothers donated pizza. Mona Braxton handed out a bite of something sweet. The Marshal’s Office and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury teamed up to provide bags of groceries that included poultry, which were passed out as each person exited the center. Representatives from businesses, service providers, rental assistance agencies, health care providers, holiday safety and fraud experts, addiction counselors and vaccination professionals offered swag and info.

“We’re going into the holidays and we want to make sure our seniors have groceries,” said Nathan Keller, Ward 3 Marshal. “Yes, we have the bingo, and the seniors do enjoy that, but this is Bingo with a Purpose. The purpose was to educate our seniors about fraud and senior abuse.”

Nationwide one in six seniors are a victim of fraud. This year, the Marshal’s Office partnered with JD Bank, Centerwell, the Navarre Group and Judge Guy Bradberry to do more for seniors at this event than at the previous year’s event.

“The event was kicked off with breakfast and a social hour because we wanted our seniors to be able to have the chance to engage, not just come in, sit down and play Bingo because we know that social interaction, engaging with others makes for a healthier culture,” the Marshal said.

It also makes for a more informed, more alert, more educated community.

“It’s important to let our seniors know they are not alone. My bank account was compromised, and I’m the marshal,” Keller said. “You shouldn’t be ashamed. Today’s scams are very sophisticated. It’s not just seniors who are targeted. Don’t hesitate to tell your neighbors and friends what happened to you. Don’t hesitate to report something that happens to you so that we can help prevent it from happening to someone else.”

Keller said the simplest way to report a scam is to call 911.