October 25, 2016 - It was Ladies Night at the John D. Windham Civic Center in Center on Thursday, Oct. 20, when more than 350 friends of Panola College played bingo for a chance to win designer purses. The fundraising event, hosted by the Panola College Foundation, raised more than $30,200 to support scholarships, faculty grants and other college projects.
In addition to bingo, participants had a last-minute chance to purchase raffle tickets for the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag, valued at $1,265. Sally Windham of Center was the lucky winner of the raffle.
Chris Watlington of Center served as emcee for the evening. Premium Graphics and Design, located in Timpson, sponsored the event.
Game sponsors included Children’s Dental Center, Cline Family Medical, Edward Jones – Vicky Hudson, Farmers State Bank, General Shelters, Joe’s Car Spa, Pine Grove Nursing Center, Pippen Motor Company, Premium Graphics & Design, Professional Title Services, Ridgway CNC, Ronnie Wall Inc., Southern Seasons Florals & Gifts, State Farm – Sandy Wheeler, Subway, and Triple J’s Feed.
Handbag sponsors were Ace Hardware, The Balcony, Greg and Joann Powell, John and Jane Ray, and Raymond Construction.
Bingo game purses included a Fossil Molly Large Hobo in Saddle, a Michael Kors Haley Large Convo Tote, a Kate Spade Wellesley Small Rachelle Nightforest Green Satchel, a Coach Crossgrain Mini Bennet Satchel in Saddle Brown, a Kate Spade Small Felix Newbury Lane Printed, a Fossil Molly Hobo in Black, a Kate Spade Small Loden Crossbody in Sweetheart Pink, a Michael Kors Jet Set Travel in Brown Signature, a Coach Crossgrain City Zip Tote in Oxblood, a Fossil Madison Tote in Mineral Gray, a Kate Spade Lilah Arbour Hill in Black, a Consuela Monica Classic Tote, a Michael Kors Jet Set Travel Merlot, a Fry Melissa Satchel in Burgundy, and a Kate Spade Annelle Arbour Hill in Indi.
Bingo winners took home designer purses, and between games, Watlington gave away door prizes to guests. A $5 ring raffle also garnered gift baskets and other prizes including a Coleman steel red cooler filled with beverages, a Consuela Banarama U-Tote-It, a Consuela Blue Jag Crossbody bag, a Stella & Dot Getaway Bag from Savannah Oswalt, a Dooney & Bourke Signature Satchel, two other Dooney & Bourke gift bags filled with gift cards from Southern Seasons, Las Margaritas, The Century Shoppe, The Loft, Lasting Impressions, and Hughes Florist, along with Thrive gift sets from Cathy Wall, and Panola College steel travel mugs.
Panola College Occupational Therapy Assistant students and members of the Panola College Volleyball Team assisted with the event. Catering was provided by Shani’s Catering. Additional support for Designer Purse Bingo came from Brodie Akins, Johnny’s Package Store, Piney Woods Beverage – Fred Wulf, and Whataburger.
“This was our first Designer Purse Bingo event, but from the response we had, it certainly won’t be our last,” said Jessica Pace, Director of Institutional Advancement at Panola College. “Everyone had fun, and the money we raised supports educational projects at Panola College, including student scholarships.”
