Doris Wood has lived many places and seen many things but the retired Centralia College professor counts among some of her fondest memories a simple roll of the dice.
As the leader of 
Doris' Divas, she and a group of women have raised nearly $20,000 in four years hosting bunco game nights.
“This has been one of the most fulfilling things I have done in my life and these women are some of the most amazing people I have ever met,” Wood said.
The Doris' Divas group started at the 2009 Power of the Purse gathering. The United Way of Lewis County event, now in its eighth year, will take place August 6 at the Riverside Golf Course. The annual gathering usually draws more than 200 women from various walks of life for fun and fellowship.
At the 2009 event, United Way leadership decided to start groups called pods, that would allow women to meet and network throughout the year beyond just the one event. Many of those pods are still meeting, including another altruistic group that now runs a Dress for Success service, helping local women find clothing for job interviews. United Way of Lewis County executive director Debbie Campbell said the original intent of Power of the Purse was to empower local women and she feels groups such as Doris' Divas really exemplify the success they have achieved in this goal.
“If you were to wish for something this would be exactly what you would wish for,” Campbell said. “The excitement that has built and grown from this is beyond our expectations.”
Wood was one of the original group of women asked to lead a pod. She said when she first accepted the position, she did not have a clear vision yet of what her group would do. As she was asked to introduce herself, she said she came up with a vague idea of what she wanted for her pod.
“I remember standing up at the Gibson House and saying 'well at my pod we're going to have a good time but also do something of service for others,'” Wood said.
The women who signed up to be part of Wood's pod, most of whom are still involved, met a few times before deciding on what to do. At one such meeting, fellow member Holly Ames suggested playing bunco and the pod chose United Way agencies to be the benefactors from the funds raised. None of the others knew how to play bunco but Ames assured them that was not a problem.
“It started innocently enough,” said Diva Peggy Hammer with a laugh. “We were talking about 'what do we want to do' … then the light went on and it's been bunco ever since.”
The first bunco night was held at the Kit Carson restaurant in Chehalis and raised $600, which was split between the Lewis County Shelter Program and the Onalaska Youth Center. Wood said she could not believe at the end of the night what a fun time everyone had and how much they had raised.
“We thought 'wow, how cool was that?'” Wood recalled.
But they had no idea what was to come. Their second bunco night, a benefit for the Lewis County Literacy Council raised $1,050. And, in no time, a single bunco night was reaching the $2,000 mark. At the group's upcoming bunco night, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 23 at the Lucky Eagle Casino, they expect to break the $20,000 mark of total funds raised in their four years of 'fun'draising. They joke that each time they wonder if this will be the bunco night that no one shows up, but each event draws somewhere between 40-60 women.
“It's so amazing, every time I think one of these times I'm going to know everybody but there's always new faces every time,” Wood said. “It's been just an amazing way to get to know other people in this community.”
Diva Jennifer Groberg said the women-only bunco nights are loud and fun, often drawing onlookers from inside the casino who come by just to see what's going on.
The $20 admission gets attendees game play for bunco as well as light appetizers. Groberg said most people happily pay the admission and also buy at least several dollars worth of random chance tickets. She commented that the ladies don't seem to feel like they're giving money because they're always having so much fun.
“It goes back to that United Way thing that every little bit helps and even you can make a difference,” Groberg said.
The Divas also commented that they have been impressed with the Lucky Eagle staff’s enthusiasm for the event. Not only did the casino donate the pink plastic dice that are used during the event but, “The staff got totally involved,” Hammer said. “They’ve donated their tips each time and they’ve just been really really wonderful.”
But the Divas haven’t only faced triumphs together. Earlier this year their beloved leader, Wood, developed a foot infection that turned out to be a chronic infection inside the bone that led to her leg being amputated below the knee. At the moment, Doris is recovering from her surgery and preparing for a prosthetic. The Divas have rallied around her, not only offering personal support but making sure the bunco nights continue to move forward because they know it is what she wants to have happen.
“She’s always been such a great friend and mentor we all felt it very strongly,” said Diva Maretta Boes. “But we all had a lot of confidence she was going to be OK and she would be back with us soon.”
“I think all of us just wanted to know ‘what can I do?’” Groberg added. “She’s such a positive person and just offers so much positive energy to every relationship we all just wanted to help.”
As the Divas prepare to celebrate raising $20,000 for charitable causes, they already have their sights set on the future. They said bunco nights will continue and they’re already talking about having a “silver anniversary” event once they have reached the $25,000 mark. They are quick to point out that they are not the only successful pod that has come out of United Way’s Power of the Purse — they aren’t but one local group that is working to raise money to better the community. But, they’re still proud of what they have and continue to accomplish … all with a simple roll of the dice.