BINGO MADNESS

Bash gives revelers access to some big prizes, big fun

Groans, moans, cheers and jeers greeted every call of a Bingo ball during Access Group Inc.'s 11th annual Bingo Bash, held July 13 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Masters of ceremonies were KTHV's Craig O'Neill and Tyler "Moose" Bjornson from radio station KLAL-FM, Alice 107.7.

No one -- OK, a few folks -- took the games seriously. Prizes were 10 gift packages ranging from a party for 10 at Big Rock Mini Golf and Fun Park to a bundle of sports training and wellness certificates to a Yellow Rocket Concept Foodie Pack with free meals at several area restaurants. Equally as fun were several raffle items, which included a ride for 40 on the "Toddy Trolly" -- much like a pub crawl on wheels.

All told, the event raised about $34,000, which was about on par with previous years' events, said Krysten Levin, marketing and special events manager for Access. About 280 was all that could squeeze into the church cafeteria. Adams Catfish Catering of Little Rock provided the food; beers donated by two distributors and a liquor store flowed freely.

Access, founded in 1994, serves individuals with learning disabilities. Proceeds from Bingo Bash will go toward the group's Tuition Assistance Fund. The affair is put on by a group of 20 stalwart volunteers on the Access in Action Young Professionals committee.

Fred and Sarah Beth Davis were co-chairmen. Fred locked arms with Access through Create Little Rock's Get on the Board program, which matches young professionals with local nonprofits for a board of directors shadowing opportunity, Levin said. He's now a member of the board. Sarah Beth joined him as a volunteer.

"We are so grateful to have Sarah Beth and Fred as advocates for Access," Levin said. "They have both embraced the mission to build brighter futures for individuals with special needs by helping us to expand individual potential through innovative instruction."

-- Story and photos by Cyd King

High Profile on 07/23/2017

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