SEALY — As the betting chips were flying and the cards were being dealt, the crowd at the American Legion Hall in Sealy was in for some serious gambling at the 3rd Annual Casino Royal Night. Win, lose, or draw; it was for a worthy cause to benefit so many. The Sealy American Legion Post 442, Friends of Sealy American Legion, and Charitable Heroes Achieving Memorable Performances (C.H.A.M.P) charitable donations raise the stakes to $600,000.
Through the various fund-raising events such as pancake suppers, Monday and Tuesday night bingos, and casino royals, these organizations have been able to make over $600,000 in charitable donations from January 2021 through December 2023. In addition, major upgrades to the buildings and property owned by the Sealy American Legion were made.
The Friends of the Sealy American Legion (Friends) was formed in 2018 with the purpose of assisting the American Legion and providing financial assistance for various community organizations.
The Friends have hosted Monday night bingos, barbecue chicken dinners, fried chicken wing dinners, Lent Friday fish fries, annual Casino Royale and pork steak dinners. Because of these fundraising activities, Friends has given over $200,000 from 2020 through 2022 in the form of scholarships, monetary donations, and complimentary labor assistance in various Legion capital projects.
Lastly, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization named Charitable Heroes Achieving Memorable Performances (C.H.A.M.P.) was formed. C.H.A.M.P. was formed to continue the Friends of the Sealy American Legion mission as well as provide broader assistance to more groups. C.H.A.M.P. has taken over most fundraisers that the Friends hosted, such as Monday night bingos, Lent Friday fish fries, and annual Casino Royale. With these fundraising activities, C.H.A.M.P. has given over $100,000 since its formation in 2023 in the form of scholarships and monetary donations.
