ARLINGTON — The Arlington “Dollars for Scholars” Foundation will have a chance to double their money in one night, when they stage their annual Bingo fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Presidents Elementary.

“Dollars for Scholars” awards scholarships to local high school graduates to help them pay for their post-secondary school dreams. Every year since 1999, the Arlington chapter has been able to take advantage of a matching grant offered by the Washington state Board of Higher Education. If the Arlington chapter can raise $2,000, the state Board will match it.

“Every year, with the help of our local businesses and community members, we’ve made our goal and received the matching funds,” said longtime “Dollars for Scholars” committee member George Boulton. “Of course, our success depends on having a big turnout for Bingo, so we hope lots of folks will join us on Oct. 6.”

This year’s event theme is gift certificates from local businesses for all the Bingo winners. These gift certificates will come from a variety of restaurants, grocery stores and other establishments, will be worth at least $25 each, and will be awarded to the winners of each game. In the event of a tie between winners, both contestants will receive a prize.

Like previous years’ themes, this is intended to help make the event fun and interesting for the whole family, according to Sandie Cooper, president of the Arlington chapter.

“We’ll be serving food along with the Bingo games, so it’s an evening out for everyone to enjoy,” Cooper said.

Presidents Elementary is located at 505 E. Third St. in Arlington. Its doors will open at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, and food and beverages may be purchased at that time and throughout the evening. Bingo itself will run from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets will be $10 per person for a packet of 15 games, or $25 for a family of two adults and two children, for four packets of 15 games.

The Arlington “Dollars for Scholars” Foundation typically awards more than $50,000 per year in the form of college scholarships to graduates of the Arlington School District. All proceeds will go toward scholarships for students who will graduate in 2013.

More information about the Arlington “Dollars for Scholars” Foundation may be found online at www.arlingtondfs.org.