Maggie, one of several winners, smiles with her bingo card and prizes alongside a deputy from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office during the Hearts & Heroes Valentine’s Bingo at Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - There were plenty of “Bingo!” calls echoing through the community room Tuesday morning at Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova, but the real win was connection.

Residents gathered on Feb. 10 for the community’s seventh annual Hearts & Heroes Valentine’s Bingo, joined by several officers from the Rancho Cordova Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Three lively rounds were played, complete with prizes, laughter and a few close calls before images were finally filled in.

At the end of the games, officers handed out flowers to participants, capping off a morning designed as much for smiles as for friendly competition.

Officers hold up valentine’s day cards made by residents at the Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova Hearts & Heroes Valentine’s Bingo. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living

“It’s always a pleasure to have the police department here serving the community in fun ways, brightening our days, bringing in joy,” said Esther Kagramanyan activities director at Summerset for nine years. “One of the police officers came by with the idea to call bingo, and it’s just been history from there. The residents love it. They talk about it for days and days and always look forward to the following year.”

Community Relations Director Andrea Callejo served as bingo caller, keeping the energy high as residents tracked their cards. Winners received candy heart chocolate boxes and 100 “funny money,” Summerset’s in-house reward currency residents can earn by participating in activities and spend at community auctions.

“The more activities they join, the more funny money they get, and the more items they can buy at the auctions,” Esther Kagramanyan said.

A Summerset resident celebrates a winning bingo card and Valentine’s prizes alongside a deputy from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office during the Hearts & Heroes event at Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living

For the officers, the event is a highlight on their own calendar.

“For us, it’s just another opportunity to come out and meet with our residents and talk with them, have a presence, and we love it,” said Lisa Gerber with Rancho Cordova police crime prevention. “This is a highlight for us for the year. The seniors are kind of dear to our heart. We have parents. We see ourselves in this. It’s a way of thanking them for being part of our community and allowing us to be part of their community.”

Officer Ralph Garcia said the event offers a chance to connect with residents who may not always have regular visitors.

“It gives us an opportunity to hang out with the community and give back to people living here,” Garcia said. “We try to come out and just put a smile on their face. My favorite part is watching how this has grown over the years.”

Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova residents and staff smile alongside officers from the Rancho Cordova Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office after three fun filled rounds of Bingo. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living

That growth was evident on Tuesday, as residents from different floors gathered around shared tables.

“This is my first time participating in the bingo since I haven’t been here for over a year,” said resident Jim Zirkelbach. “Having the officers all come in is pretty cool, and so many people are involved. It’s a chance for residents from all different floors to interact.”

Activity assistant Rebeka Kagramanyan said seeing residents engage with officers outside of emergency situations makes the morning especially meaningful.

At the close of the games, officers handed out flowers to participants. From left, Natasha and Maggie, both bingo winners, hold their flowers and smile following the Hearts & Heroes event at Summerset Senior Living Rancho Cordova. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living

“Seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces is my favorite part,” she said. “They get to see on the news how impactful the police department and the sheriff’s department are in our community, and today they get to spend time with them and really have fun. They are so good at bingo.”

Resident Natasha agreed.

“It’s fun to get to go one on one with officers and having them help,” she said. “It’s about coming together.”

Residents gathered on Feb. 10 for the community’s seventh annual Hearts & Heroes Valentine’s Bingo, joined by several officers from the Rancho Cordova Police Department and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Photo courtesy of Summerset Senior Living