RUSKIN, Fla. — A Bay area nonprofit dedicated to providing a place of healing for veterans, wounded warriors, and their families is carrying on their mission despite a shortfall in funding caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

  • My Warrior's Place in Ruskin offers getaway for veterans and their families
  • Group now hosting virtual bingo 3 nights a week
  • More coronavirus stories

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night, people from around the country gather online to play virtual Bingo hosted by My Warrior's Place in Ruskin.

People can choose to donate in exchange for Bingo cards, with the change to win a restaurant gift card.

It's not the fundraiser the organization had originally planned for this spring.

“We were expecting about $5,000 from the MacDill Air Force Show, we expected another $7,000-$8,000 off of the baseball, Tampa Bay-Yankees and the Atlanta Braves spring training parking,” said Kelly Kowall, president and founder of My Warrior’s Place. 

But My Warrior’s Place was built on the notion of fighting through tough times, so they’re up for the challenge.

“A lot of veterans suffer with PTSD and they don’t need to be in a place that’s full of drama or loud noises or anything like that, the peace is really what helps them,” said Beverly Blanton, wife of a veteran.

“Places like this are important because it builds a sense of community,” said Allan Dodsworth, a marine veteran.

My Warrior’s Place offers current and former service members and their families a getaway to connect with like-minded people.

But of course, they need funding to stay afloat, and so far this year, the coronavirus pandemic forced them to cancel four fundraisers that would have brought in roughly $20,000.

So they had to get creative.

“We were just tossing around ideas and somebody joked, ‘I bet there’s a lot of people missing playing Bingo right now,'" Kowall explained. "Because we have a lot of retirement communities in the area, and that’s kind of how it got started."

“I would encourage people to do it for three good reasons," she went on. "One, it gives you something to do three nights a week instead of just sitting there just doing nothing. Two, it helps to support our restaurants. And three, any funds left over from buying the gift certificates supports My Warrior’s Place,” said Kowall.

For a link to play or donate, visit our www.mwp4me.org or www.mywarriorsplace.org.