Anybody who has played the game of Bingo knows it can become a pretty enticing way of life for people of all ages, particularly the senior crowd; those ranging in age from 62 and above.

At Franklin Court Independent Living, Bingo is more of a religion than a pastime. For a number of these die-hard participants, the game is played each Monday afternoon starting at 1 o’clock upstairs in the third floor community room.

Recently, this particular bingo crowd had to make do with a defective bingo machine, but that all changed when local businessman Louis Victorino caught wind of the problem. Together with his nephew, Michael Vitorino, the two were able to fix things and put together a brand new machine that now has these seniors in a very appreciative mood.

Franklin Court Resident Service Coordinator Madalena Sylvester said Franklin Court was proud to announce the donation of a brand new bingo machine from Atlantivacations, “a full-service tourism company specializing in tailor-made experiences throughout Portugal.”

“The bingo machine was presented by Atlantivactions to show their commitment to supporting local organizations and community spirit,” Sylvester explained. “This generous donation will help provide an enjoyable experience for our residents at a popular weekly event. The new bingo machine boasts advanced feature including automatic number calling and clear displays.”

“The bingo crew at Franklin Court Elder Care is so happy now, due to the generosity of East Bay Manufacturing & Atlantivacations for donating a new bingo system for us,” said longtime resident and Bingo enthusiast and coordinator Sue Benevides. “Bingo is a fun time for all the tenants here. It is a great way to get together every Monday and have a wonderful social experience. We thank these gentlemen so much for helping us out.”

"I'm thrilled that everything went well,” said Louis Victorino, a prominent member of the Bristol community and president and founder of East Bay Manufacturers, Inc. “On a personal note, seniors are very close to my heart, and I'm constantly reminded of my parents' hard work and dedication to my success. As a small business owner in our community, I feel it's our responsibility to reciprocate and support our community and country, especially our seniors, who have played a pivotal role in shaping our nation.”

Mike Vitorino expressed the same sentiments.
“As a representative of Atlantivacations, I'm proud to say that we're committed to being goodwill ambassadors for our community,” he said. “And, I'd like to assure the seniors of Franklin Court as a representative of Atlantivacations that we'll always be here to lend a helping hand. Whether it's supporting local initiatives or simply being a friendly face, Lou, Atlantivacations, and I are dedicated to giving back and making a positive impact wherever we can.”