The Bunco Babes started 18 years ago and the last six years had an annual fundraiser for Feed His Lambs.

Group members decided that this year’s proceeds should benefit Good Shepherd in Tonganoxie.

The Bunco tournament drew 24 participants Feb. 10 to the VFW Post Home for the fundraiser. The event raised $1,675 in monetary donations and additional personal products that aren’t available to those in need through food assistance programs.

Bunco Babes members presented a check to Good Shepherd volunteers on Friday.

The Bunco group started 18 years ago. As group member Gretchen Meitler explained it, Karen Armstrong, founder of the Bunco Babes, had been playing Bunco with a group for two years before starting the local group, while Meitler was driving into Johnson County and Parkville, Mo., to play.

Armstrong wanted to create a local group and successfully did.

Fast forward to today and 12 women meet the second Friday of each month for dinner and then play Bunco. Armstrong also is part of three generations of Bunco enthusiasts in the group: her mother, Charlotte Alderson, and daughter Mackenzie Wheeler also are in the group. Meitler said the Bunco Babes have countless subs who fill in when others can’t play.

Meitler said that she the group hopes to have as many as 72 participants for next year’s fundraiser. Donors for the event were Kelly’s, Gambino’s, Holy-Field Winery, 1866 Bar and Grill, Mutual Savings Association, Good Shepherd and VFW Post 9271.