Panola College Foundation raises over $75,000 at Designer Purse Bingo event

The Panola College Foundation hosted its annual Designer Purse Bingo fundraising event on Friday, March 31, at the Carthage Civic Center, attracting approximately 600 guests and raising a record $75,403 for student scholarships and program grants.

“This fundraising event helps ensure that we are able to increase the number of scholarships and grants that the Foundation provides to students each year,” said Jessica Pace, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Panola College. “It is always great to see the community come out and support students, all while having a good time.”

Brian Naples, Professor of Government at Panola College, entertained the audience as the emcee, thanking the sponsors and calling out anticipated bingo numbers throughout the evening.

The event sponsor for the evening was Jacobe Bros. Construction, and each guest took home a tote bag provided by Young Energy Services. Sanford & Sons Lawncare and Irrigation sponsored centerpieces for each table, which were available to purchase following the event. Farmers State Bank sponsored cups, Razor Services sponsored drink buckets, Horne Rota Moos sponsored napkins, and Pippen Motor Company and Rural Water Services sponsored koozies. Hal’s AC and Electrical sponsored popcorn for everyone at the event. A signature drink was available for purchase brought to guests by Simply Beautiful Salon, and wine was available by Cyclone Rentals. Sodexo sponsored charcuterie boxes for each guest and Hospitality Health ER offered a dessert bar.

First State Bank & DPT Services sponsored the bonus games for the event, which allowed guests the chance to carry home a Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin bag.

Bingo purses included 24 different designs, with games sponsored by Brannon Motors, Carthage Economic Development Corporation, Carthage Furniture, Carthage Hardwoods, Citizens Banks, Edwards Jones by Vicky Hudson in Center, Texas, Elliot Dodge of Carthage, Farmers State Bank, Martin Marietta, O’Neal Crew, VeraBank, and Winkler Place. The purses won included brands such as Coach, Consuela, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, with Bear Creek Smokehouse donating numerous Consuela bags.

A popular raffle gave guests the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including designer purses, took place during the middle of the event. Raffle sponsors included Circle H BBQ, DNC Facility Services, Farmers State Bank, GENPAK, Hope Community Medicine, Smith Energy Services, Strong Services, Triple H. Compliance/Panola Pipe & Salvage, and UT Health East Texas. Additional raffle prizes were donated by Republic National Distributing Company.

“The Panola College Foundation would like to thank each person who attended the event, including each of the sponsors,” added Pace. “Designer Purse Bingo would not be possible without the volunteers who spent hours preparing and setting up the event.”

In 2024, Designer Purse Bingo will be held at the Carthage Civic Center on March 29.