Panola College Foundation raises $89,000 at Designer Purse Bingo event

The Panola College Foundation hosted its annual Designer Purse Bingo fundraising event on Friday, March 22, at the Carthage Civic Center, attracting approximately 650 guests and raising a record-breaking $89,000 for student scholarships and program grants.

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

Brian Naples, Professor of Government, 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 included a charcuterie spread sponsored by Sodexo. Farmers State Bank sponsored cups and Horne Rota Moos sponsored napkins. Razor Services sponsored drink buckets, Pippen Motor Company and Rural Water Services sponsored koozies, and Carthage Furniture and Rockin’ 3M Construction sponsored beverages. 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.

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

Bingo purses included 24 different designs, with games sponsored by Carthage Economic Development Corporation, Carthage Hardwoods, Circle H BBQ, Citizens Bank, Duran Aesthetics and Globe Life, Elliott Dodge of Carthage, Farmers State Bank, Mornin' Glory Airbnb, Twisted Peach Designs, VeraBank, Wings & Whitetails, and Winkler Place. The purses included brands such as Coach, Consuela, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, with Bear Creek Smokehouse donating the Consuela bags.

A popular raffle gave guests the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including designer purses, took place during the event. Raffle sponsors included Coldwell Banker Home Place Realty, Dust to Dazzle Maids, Farmers State Bank, GENPAK, Hope Community Medicine, Ransom Drilling, Revive & Restore Health & Wellness, Smith Energy Services, Strong Services, UT Health East Texas. Additional raffle prizes were donated by Bear Creek Smokehouse, Kendra Scott, R&K Distributors, and Republic National Distributing Company.

“We would like to thank the Panola College Foundation Board for its vision and support, along with our sponsors and each person who attended the event,” added Pace. “Designer Purse Bingo would not be possible each year without the incredible volunteers who spend hours preparing for and setting up this special evening.”