The nearly $4,000 raised for Saint Joseph School during a September bingo event was presented during a Nov. 1 assembly in the school gym. Judy Risdon, who organized the Sept. 22 bingo event hosted by Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 392, handed an oversized symbolic check for $3,946 to Maria Byrd, principal of the private Catholic school in Martinsburg.
Risdon has been a member of the Catholic Daughters for 30 years and told the students and staff in attendance about the group’s work in the community, particularly assisting the homeless and needy. “It’s a really wonderful, giving thing to do,” she said of participating in CDA.
CDA is open to Catholic women older than 18. Martinsburg Court 392 has members from all five Catholic parishes in Berkeley and Jefferson counties. In addition to the annual bingo fundraiser, which this year was held at St. Leo Catholic Church in Inwood, CDA offers monthly Five and a Side Socials on Saturdays after the 5 p.m. Masses at St. Joseph Parish in Martinsburg. Chicken is provided by CDA Court 392. Those who bring a side dish to feed eight people pay $5 a plate, while those who don’t bring food with them pay $8 a plate. Proceeds go to CDA charities.
“It’s great for the community, you get to know people,” Risdon said of the dinners.
