Our 121RN member holiday party and casino night held on the night of Dec. 8 was a rousing success with lots of fun had by more than 100 participants. The celebration, which 121RN plans to make an annual event, got some members up and dancing, while others tried their luck at casino games such as blackjack, craps, poker and roulette.

All money and toys collected during the event will go to help needy Southern California kids and families. A total of $688 in cash and more than 20 toys -- such as a skateboard, baby dolls and board games -- will be donated to needy children through Congresswoman Judy Chu's office and Assemblymember Norma Torres' annual toy drive.

The big casino winner of the night was Tracy Pryor, an RN at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio. Pryor won a Nook reader and another smaller prize for having won the most chips overall and in one of the earlier contests. No actual money changed hands but all players were given a set amount of gaming chips with which to play.

Prizes were given to those with the most chips at 8:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Gary Greenheld and Sara Goodwin tied for the first contest and each won a prize. Pryor won both the 9:30 p.m. prize and the 11 p.m. grand prize.

Our very own Secretary Treasurer Nanette Logan, an RN at Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center, won the 50/50 drawing, giving her $166 to take home! The other half of the $332 raised in the 50/50 drawing went into the charity pot.

Thank you to all members who came to see our new nurses’ building and helped us celebrate our unity. We hope to see many more members here in 2013!