Panola College Foundation Raises $46,000 with Purses for Ponies

500 guests gathered to support Panola College and play Bingo for a chance to win a designer purse.

April 12, 2018 - On Friday, March 23rd more than 500 friends of Panola College gathered at the Carthage Civic Center to play bingo for a chance to win designer purses and other prizes. The fundraising event, hosted by the Panola College Foundation, was a complete sellout within three days of opening tickets sales this past January. Designer Purse Bingo raised more than $46,000 to support scholarships, faculty grants and other college projects. With the help of these events, during 2017, the Panola College Foundation has been able to give a record number of scholarships and grants totaling more than $125,000.

Don Clinton of Carthage kept the evening lively and entertaining as the emcee for the occasion. Guests enjoyed a photo booth which printed souvenir photos from their evening, sponsored by First State Bank and Trust Company of Carthage.

Returning game sponsor, Edward Jones with Vicky Hudson in Center, TX, were excited to have a winner at their table this time.

Couture sponsors for the evening were Lewis H. Pool Foundation and Premium Graphics and Design.  Pippen Motor Company sponsored Koozies for the evening, and Kelly’s Auto Collision sponsored souvenir glasses for the guests. Game sponsors included Carthage Economic Development, Carthage Furniture, Carthage Service Center & Tires, Edward Jones in Center, TX with Vicky Hudson, El Rancho Grande, Farmers State Bank, General Shelters of Texas, LTD., LimeLight by Alcone with Brandie Best, Luminant, RCON Heavy Equipment, Sanford & Sons, Inc., and Simply Beautiful Salon with Rachel Davis.

Double Dazzle sponsors included Horne Rota Moos, LLP., Panola National Bank, Rural Water Service, and the Winkler Place. Dazzle sponsors were Berri O’Neal, Core Fitness, Fidelity, Genpak, Kathy Ballard, CPA, and Shelby Savings Bank.

Tresa Joffrion, Toni Biggs, and Wanda Hanszen pose for a quick picture with the Panola College Baseball players at the beginning of the night.

Bingo game purses included 24 different purses including brands such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Coach, which were eloquently modelled by volunteers from the Panola College Baseball team. A popular ring raffle also garnered prizes that consisted of donations by Massage by Victoria, Card my Yard Carthage, Goody Goody Liquor, the Panola College Foundation, and Schlitterbahn.

This event would not be possible without all of the amazing volunteers. Panola College Occupational Therapy Assistant students, Panola College Phi Theta Kappa, and Green Jackets were instrumental in keeping the event running smoothly. Additional support for Designer Purse Bingo came from Arnold Graphic Design, Brookshire Brothers, Panola College faculty and staff, Photography by Teresa Cage Beasley, and Whataburger.

Carthage Economic Development Corporation showed their support by sponsoring game 1 for guests of the evening.

“The Designer Purse Bingo has been a wonderful event for the Panola College Foundation,” said Jessica Pace, Director of Institutional Advancement at Panola College. “We enjoy seeing everyone from our community come out to have fun and support Panola College students. The support continues to grow each event and can be seen in the increase of scholarships and grants the Foundation has been able to award.”

Questions have already been asked about a date for the fifth Designer Purse Bingo in Carthage. Pace recommends sponsors and bingo players mark their calendar for Saturday, October 20, and watch for ticket sales to open in mid-July.

Berri O’Neal shows her excitement for her table when Patty Dawson won a Kate Spade in game 4.