The game’s back in town tonight, and we are encouraging residents to come on out and play.

That game — bingo. The time 6 p.m.; the place, the Agri-Exposition Center here in Clinton. The reason to join in the fun — it will help raise money for some very worthwhile projects, including the extremely important Fitness Renaissance, which is helping to battle childhood obesity through the elementary schools.

The Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club is sponsoring the games, which members have labeled “Super Bingo,” simply because they assure it will be a super night where those participating will have a chance to win prize money and, at the same time, help the fitness program as well as other worthwhile causes, like providing clean drinking water to people living in third world countries and sending some of our county’s young people to a youth leadership camp.

While bingo often conjures images of gambling and high stakes, what is being offered at the Agri-Exposition Center tonight is no more than a fund-aising event, a state-sanctioned charity bingo that will do exactly what it proclaims it will do — raise money for special programs.

And that’s why we adamantly recommend participating.

For one thing, it’s good, clean fun, a way for an entire community to come together, enjoy one another’s company and participate in a little fun competition — the race for that elusive BINGO!

And, for another, it’s an innovative way for a local organization to raise funds. With that combination, how can it be anything but a success?

But that success still depends heavily upon how well the now annual event is accepted by the community in which it is being offered. And that is where we, as members of the community, come in. While not everyone enjoys playing bingo, many do, and this is a unique opportunity for Sampson County residents, and those from surrounding areas, to do something they really enjoy and, at the same time, provide a helping hand.

The Clinton-Sampson Rotary members are hoping this event will continue to bring in needed funds for its very worthwhile projects. The goal is attainable if people will support this endeavor the way we believe they will.

We encourage that support and we tip our hats to the Rotary for a visionary — and fun — approach to doing its civic duty.

So come on out, bring your family, enjoy a hot dog and a soda, buy a half-and-half ticket, get some extra bingo sheets and get ready to have a great time, and maybe just maybe you’ll get the chance to yell that all-important word — BINGO!