SIDNEY — When Amy Chupp, of Sidney, won a $5,000 scholarship from the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program in 2017, among her first thoughts was, “How can I give back?”
She answered her question by organizing a purse bingo as a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation. It’s scheduled for March 10, from 3 to 6 p.m., in the VFW hall, 2841 Wapakoneta Ave.
“It’s rare around this area to hear about raising money for epilepsy,” said Chupp, a married mother of two, full-time college student, foster parent and freelance photographer who works on call for the Sidney Daily News.
Admission to the event is $20 per person. Tickets are available in advance at the Sidney Daily News office, 1451 N. Vandemark Road. They will also be available at the door, March 10. There will be 15 games of bingo, with a purse as the prize for each one. If a man wins a game, he’ll have the option of taking a certificate for a haircut at Fourth Avenue Barber Shop instead of a purse.
Some of the purses were donated by Hot Brass Personal Defense in Celina. They feature pouches for guns and are popular with women who have concealed carry licenses.
In addition to the bingo games, the event will feature a silent auction of items donated by local businesses, including a limousine ride, a photography sitting and gift baskets. Door prizes will be gift cards from area fast food eateries.
Vendors for Damsel in Defense and Tupperware will be there and there will be guest appearances by Claire Bogarus, the education coordinator of the Epilepsy Foundation, and Susan Manchester, candidate for the Ohio 84th District House seat. Sandwiches and snacks will be available for purchase.
Chupp has had help from Tiffany Beaver, Stephanie Hale and Teresa May, all of Sidney, and Mary Robinson, of Quincy, in organizing the event.
Donors and sponsors include Airstream, Tactical Solutions, McDonald’s, Sidney Apostolic Temple, Melissa Barhorst of Damsel in Defense, Amber Lande of Scentsy, Andrea Cahill of Hot Brass Personal Defense, Hits 105.5, Picture Perfect Babies, UC Health, Wilson Health and Fourth Avenue Barber Shop.
Chupp, a native of Jackson Center, was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 8. She underwent brain surgery shortly after she graduated from high school and suffered a mini-stroke that left her partially paralyzed. She credits her faith as much as medical help for her recovery from the paralysis. Another brain surgery in 2005 has helped to keep the disease under control; although she is ever watchful for the onset of a seizure.
They often occur while she’s sleeping.
“If (my husband’s) able to wake me up from the partial seizure, he can stop me from having a grand mal seizure,” Chupp told the Daily News in November.
She has applied the UCB grant to tuition at Edison State Community College.
