CULLMAN, Ala. – Loft 212 was full of hopeful ladies Tuesday night for the United Way of Cullman County (UWCC) Women United Designer Bag Bingo event, which was sold out. Attendees played a variety of 15 bingo games, with handbags from designers such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Coach going home with the lucky winners.
“We are so excited that we have raised approximately $15,000 before expenses!” said UWCC Public Relations Manager Michele Dingler.
UWCC Executive Director Becky Goff said she was blown away by the response to the event, which raised money for the UWCC’s partner agencies.
“We are really excited because this is really going to help the campaign out a tremendous amount,” she smiled. “We had three new agencies apply for funding this year and we were looking for another way to raise funds to add them. This could be just what we needed. This is so much fun and we are super excited.”
Attendees were asked to bring new or gently used handbags filled with personal hygiene products to be donated to Victim Services of Cullman. They did not disappoint; collection bins were overflowing with beautiful bags stuffed with toiletries.
Guests were served light hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and each was a colorful dauber with her 15 bingo cards. The electronic bingo system kept the games moving along without any confusion.
Goff explained how the UWCC obtained the bingo system.
“We got online and reached out to the designer of the program and told him what we were doing, and he happened to be a volunteer for United Way,” she said. “He said, ‘I believe in United Way so much, I’m going to give this to you for free.’ We didn’t pay a dime for the bingo program, all the wine on the tables was donated and the bags were all sponsored.”
Goff said the UWCC will have more events like Designer Bag Bingo in the future.
UWCC volunteers and community leaders all lent hand to the successful event. The designer handbags, as well as the grand prizes, were all sponsored by local businesses. Grand prizes included a CALPAK/Lewis N. Clark luggage set and HP laptop valued at $569.95.
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