PHOTO BY CLARE JENSEN

VICTORIA MEURIACEJA, FIRST GRADER AT SHERIDAN ELEMENTARY, CHOSE A NEW RED COAT WITH FUR TRIM AFTER TRYING ON A VARIETY OF OTHER STYLISH OPTIONS NOV. 29.

BJ's Bingo warms up kids' holidays

By Clare Jensen

BJ’s Bingo in Fife and their customers donated more than $15,000 which bought new coats for the 614 students at Sheridan Elementary School in Tacoma.

Staff at BJ’s went shopping personally for the hundreds of coats they handed out to Sheridan students the week of Nov. 26. Last year, BJ’s Bingo provided Roosevelt Elementary with about 400 winter coats through Coats For Kids. Jenynne DeNoble, coordinator for the event, said it was a big jump to go from 400 to more than 600 coats – especially when they hand picked each one.

“It took about one month and 50 shopping hours,” Jenynne DeNoble said. BJ Turnipseed, owner of BJ’s Casino and Puyallup Tribal Member said the schools are selected based on a student need. Principal at Sheridan, Kelly Evans, said they were honored to receive the new coats.

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