Every holiday season, The Rotary Club of Dolores helps brighten up the town with huge decorative wreaths and the lighted message of "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men" on the valley side.
Now, the club is asking for help.
To cover costs of replacing wreaths and light bulbs, the club invites the public to dinner and bingo on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Dolores Community Center.
Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and costs $5. At 7 p.m. bingo begins. Players get 10 games for $10, with cash prizes after each game.
Though the club hosts bingo nights throughout the winter to raise funds for other community organizations, the Dolores Chamber is organizing this fundraiser, and proceeds will go to the Rotary's holiday lighting project.
"We're the beneficiary this time, and we're asking for the public's support," said Dolores Rotary president Laurel Rematore. "We're needing help to replace worn-out wreaths and to keep up with the sign maintenance."
About 20 large, lighted wreaths are installed along Railroad Avenue by volunteer Empire Electric crews. Some of the wreaths have seen better days, and are being cycled out. New ones cost $600 each, and money raised from bingo will help buy replacements.
It didn't help when a couple of years the Rotary's wreath supplier suddenly went out of business and the club lost thousands of dollars.
As far as maintaining the iconic Dolores sign, "it's an adventure," she said. "It's steep, slippery, and there is a lot of brush clearing year to year. But it is worth it for the holiday spirit."
Rotary volunteers and FFA students put in the labor to keep the wreaths and sign shining bright. The more skilled volunteers make sure the wiring is good.
"There is a lot more work than people realize that go into our holiday decorations," said Dolores Chamber director Rocky Moss. "Everyone should come out and play some bingo for a good cause on Nov. 18. It's a blast, and fun for young people also."
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com