Sold-Out Bingo Event Raises $500,000 for Child Abuse Victims

by Anissa Munoz

December 21, 2016

Read time: 3 minutes

The 13^th annual PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon presented by Lexus of Austin & Lakeway brought together a multitude of Austin women and Center for Child Protection supporters for a common cause – ending the cycle of child abuse – and a common love – BINGO. The ever-popular, sold-out event held in the Hilton Austin Grand Ballroom raised more than $500,000 for child victims in the Austin community. Returning as this year’s emcees were KXAN’s Jim Spencer and Lexus of Austin & Lakeways’ Cassie LaMere.

More than 1,000 guests arrived in exceptional PlayBingo fashion to play bingo, sip champagne and bid on more than 180 silent auction packages featuring eye-catching jewelry, designer handbags and a chance to enjoy dinner at Jack Gilmore’s new restaurant, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking. Each guest received a stylish bracelet of blush crystal and sterling silver that was hand strung by volunteers, while many of the guests also received fragrances, lotions and a variety of fabulous table prizes, courtesy of H-E-B, Trulucks and Vera Bradley. Additionally, eight lucky bingo winners took home grand prizes including David Yurman jewelry, a full spa day courtesy of Lake Austin Spa and a diamond bracelet from Diamonds Direct.* Additionally, attendees were given the opportunity to purchase Bubbles & Bling, courtesy of Kendra Scott and Lexus of Austin & Lakeway and Beauty & Bloom gift bags, thanks to the Boutique on Stonelake, Barletts, KB Home and many more. PlayBingo ladies also joined the Center for Child Protection’s child abuse awareness campaign, Spot It. Stop It., by participating in a social photo booth. Each photo encourages viewers to learn the signs of abuse by visiting www.SpotItStopIt.org.

The PlayBingo Ladies Luncheon is hosted by the Friends of Christopher Guild, an organization established out of the community’s despair, frustration and outrage over the death of two-year-old Christopher Wohlers. Formed in 1998 by concerned women and mothers, the Friends of Christopher Guild is committed to sustaining and expanding the safety net for abused children in Travis County through support of the Center for Child Protection.

“PlayBingo is truly an event like no other,” Freda Voelker, Friends of Christopher Guild President, said. “The energy in the room is outstanding, and the passion these women have for child abuse awareness is so special. They not only attend PlayBingo for a fun afternoon with friends, they attend because they know how important this issue is and that together we can make a difference.”

*BINGO Prizes donated by: Archer, David Yurman, Diamonds Direct, Johnny Was, KB Home, Lake Austin Spa, Neiman Marcus, Quarto Austin, The Boutique on Stonelake and The Domain.