Tampa Bay’s 1st Place Favorite Local Fundraising Event; 2nd Place Favorite Karaoke/Trivia/Bingo
In just over two years, Drag Queen Bingo hostess Georgia Moore has raised more than $64,000 for local charities at Punky’s Bar and Grill, Tampa Bay’s 2nd place favorite local restaurant.
It’s a remarkable feat that’s made the weekly game night a St. Petersburg staple. Moore’s passion for helping others predates her drag career, however, which officially began in 2017. The entertainer is also a high school teacher who oversees more than 150 students each day and a preacher, one who believes it’s incumbent upon us all to make the world a better place.
“Fundraising is vital for our community, especially with the pandemic,” Moore says. “Everyone needs a little help and assistance to create that unified front that we’re in this together. It didn’t just affect a certain group of people – or even those with only two legs.”
Animal shelters and rescues regularly benefit from Drag Queen Bingo, Moore notes, as do LGBTQ-serving nonprofits. She estimates up to 35 different organizations have received financial support during her time as hostess, averaging around $1,000 per evening.
Recent events have raised funds for Empath Partners in Care, Diversity Arts, Passion 4 Pits and more. Nonprofits need only reach out to be considered, though beneficiaries are already booked through June.
“These organizations we’re working with are not just making this community a better place, they’re making the world a better place,” Moore stresses. “Helping them along is exactly what we’re here to do.
“We need to love, show mercy and walk humbly with each other,” she continues. “This is something that I live every day and this is just my way of helping people. I’m so thankful to Punky’s for taking a chance on me to being their Drag Queen Bingo Hostess.”
Punky’s is equally as grateful for Moore.
“Punky’s is proud to have Georgia Moore host and manage the charity Drag Queen Bingo events,” owners John Burt and Lynn Deibert share. “In 2021 Georgia set her goal for the year at $25,000 but surpassed it to raise $38,000 – the sky is the limit for Georgia! We all look forward to seeing what she will do in 2022!”
