The Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center will host its inaugural Blingo night in March, a chic new fundraiser featuring 10 rounds of bingo with high-end designer handbags as prizes, along with gourmet food, signature cocktails and couture displays, all in support of children and families impacted by abuse.

Founded in 2009 in Jonesboro through the vision and leadership of Sue McDaniel and Dennis Zolper, the NEA Children’s Advocacy Center (NEACAC) is dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate support to child victims of crime. With a mission rooted in healing and justice, NEACAC offers a child-friendly, trauma-informed environment where the safety and well-being of every child is the highest priority. Every service is provided free of charge to children and families across seven counties: Craighead, Clay, Greene, Mississippi, Poinsett, Lawrence and Randolph.

In 2025 alone, NEACAC served 457 children through a seamless, coordinated approach designed to minimize retraumatization and foster healing. The center’s highly trained team provided 65 forensic medical exams and delivered 875 mental health services. They also conducted numerous forensic interviews and offered advocacy services, all under one roof.

NEACAC Director of Development and Community Education Dana Housley says each person involved at the center has the same mission.

“At NEACAC, the belief is simple yet powerful: every child deserves access to care, support and justice regardless of the obstacles they face,” said Housley. “Through its work, the center helps children find their voice, begin their healing journey, and step into a future filled with hope and possibility.”

Shawnie Carrier, NEACAC executive director, says that their inaugural Blingo will raise much-needed funds for the organization.

“Recent funding cuts have created real challenges for our center, even as the need for our services continues to grow,” said Carrier. “These cuts impact our ability to expand programs, retain specialized staff and meet the increasing demand for trauma-informed care. Despite these challenges, our mission has never wavered.

“We continue to serve every child who walks through our doors with compassion, dignity and care. Fundraising events like Blingo are vital because they allow us to bridge those financial gaps and ensure that no child is turned away from the healing services they deserve.”

Housley says organizers took inspiration for Blingo from a similar long-running, successful event in Tyler, Texas, and tailored it for Northeast Arkansas. The event will bring together several local businesses who are contributing to the cause, and will offer more than $20,000 in designer handbags, jewelry and raffle prizes.

“Classic bingo meets modern luxury inside the private airplane hangar of presenting sponsor Hytrol Conveyor Company, transformed into a chic, spring-inspired setting,” said Housley. “Guests will enjoy couture displays from Steamroller Blues, a gourmet meal by Chow at One Eighteen, signature cocktails and 10 rounds of bingo with designer handbags from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Coach and more awarded during each game. 

“Attendees can also play one or both rounds of Heads or Tails, sponsored by Sissy’s Log Cabin, for a chance to win fine jewelry, and enter the raffle for a Louis Vuitton ‘Again’ handbag valued at $3,250 ($10 each or 12 for $100), with winners not required to be present.”

Attire for Blingo is not formal, and guests are encouraged to express their style with flair – cute, fun and couture-inspired. Anyone age 18 and older is encouraged to participate. 

Carrier says that the services NEACAC provides to children are essential and life changing.

“The greatest contribution NEACAC makes is giving children a place where they feel safe, believed and supported,” said Carrier. “For many of the children we serve, our center is the first place where they are truly heard without fear or judgment. We help replace feelings of shame and fear with reassurance and hope.

“By surrounding each child with trained professionals who work together, we reduce trauma and begin the process of healing not just their bodies, but their hearts and minds. Our goal is to help every child understand that what happened to them does not define them – and that their future can be filled with strength, safety and possibility.”

Blingo will take place on March 13 at 6 p.m. at 2000 Conveyor Street in Jonesboro. For more information on the Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center or to purchase tickets to Blingo, visit neacac.net or call NEACAC at (870) 275-7902.