Jerry Summers
In 1987 following the corruption in the charitable bingo era the Tennessee General Assembly enacted the toughest bingo regulations in the county. Some legal and political voices surmised that they were enacted to prevent any organization from being able to acquire a permit to operate a bingo game in the Volunteer State due to the extent of the lawlessness that had taken place between 1985 and 1987 which allowed only $2.6 million of the $124.7 million generated through bingo in the name of charity to be distributed legally for charitable purposes.
The late Tom Caldwell and Tom Cox saw an opportunity to benefit the Orange Grove Center (O.G.C) facility that they had supported for special clients since its birth in 1953.
Although informed that the past record in bingo and tough regulations probably precluded the Alcohol Beverage Commission (ABC) in Nashville from ever granting a license to operate a bingo game Tom assembled a legal team and accepted the challenge and headed to Davidson County for a hearing.
After presenting the history of O.G.C the plan to operate a game run solely by a volunteer crew of center staff and parents, a large rent free cafeteria, and the plan to enact an opportunity to provide a recreational plan for senior citizens, the ABL surprisingly made a decision to grant a license after the hearing and a government official observed: “nobody thought that any group could comply with the new tough regulations but O.G.C did!”
Armed with the license and chance to have a monopoly on the charitable bingo market in the Chattanooga area the staff, parents and volunteers proceeded to purchase equipment, and prepare for a grand opening in the cafeteria that included a trial practice evening of bingo.
Unfortunately the Tennessee Supreme Court in a case decided on February 27, 1989 decided that “bingo” was “a lottery” prohibited by the then existing Tennessee Constitution and could not be played for even the most legitimate charitable purpose and the chance to fulfill more of the ever present financial needs of the special clients of O.G.C. ended.
A fast forward to 2021 reveals that much has changed in the field of legalized gambling in both the nation and Tennessee.
With the help of Republican State Senator Todd Gardenhire and Democrat Representative Yusuf Hakeem and other Hamilton County legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly passed laws allowing a one time a year fundraiser for a qualified charitable organization to play bingo.
On August 13, 2022 “Bingo for the Grove” was held at the Hunter Museum of American Art and was a successful event that was enjoyed by a large supportive crowd that had few mishaps for an initial adventure back into the field of bingo. The dedicated tri-chairs Hallie Haley, Laura Probasco, and Alyce York (Decosimo) aided by the O.G.C Board of Directors, staff of the Grove, and multiple donors worked to put together an enjoyable evening of entertainment and bingo. Significant financial support was provided by real estate entrepreneur and sponsor, Todd Henon, and his wife, Beth.
On August 12, 2023, another successful event took place at the same locale. A partial listing of the program, with volunteers and supporters, is listed at the BingoForThegrove.org website.
Their efforts and those of others combined to substantially contribute to the O.G.C. mission that started in 1953 by a small group of parents asking for help for their special needs children when they placed an ad in the local newspaper scheduling an organizational meeting.
(Thank you, Chattanooga, and other area residents!)
* * *
You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com