Bags & BLiNGO
The women of Muncie Tri Kappa aren’t just nuts — the organization will be hosting their fashion-forward fundraiser, BLiNGO, on Thursday, April 16, at the.
Each fall, the women of the Delta Phi chapter of Tri Kappa Inc. go a little nuts. The organization’s signature fall fundraiser, The Nut Sale, historically funded the organization’s grants and community initiatives. The Nut Sale features fresh crops of a variety of nuts, dried fruits and chocolate.
BLiNGO is led by event co-chairmen Sarah Rector and Becky Rector.
Becky says the organization was looking for a new, fun way to raise funds. After seeing the success of BLiNGO in Bloomington, Ind., Muncie Tri Kappa launched the first BLiNGO event in Muncie in 2019. The event occurs every 2 years.
Becky says BLiNGO is a fun way to play bingo to win designer handbags. 350 women attend the fundraiser to support Muncie Tri Kappa’s community grants and scholarships. This year’s theme, “Run for the Roses,” is a special Kentucky Derby edition of BLiNGO. Attendees are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby dresses, hats and fascinators.
Designer handbags available to win during 10 rounds of BLiNGO include Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Coach, Hammit, Claire V, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and more.
Annually, Muncie Tri Kappa distributes more than $10,000 in community grants to local charities and nonprofit organizations.
Delta Phi is Muncie’s chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa Inc., an Indiana-based philanthropic organization whose purpose is to bring women together for the promotion of sisterhood, charity, education and culture.
Muncie Tri Kappa was instrumental in launching the Muncie Children’s Museum in 1976.
A small committee of four educators and moms drafted a proposal to create a children’s museum in Muncie. The committee presented the proposal to Muncie Tri Kappa, which funded the initial planning to create the organization that became the Muncie Children’s Museum. Muncie Tri Kappa members served on the planning committee for the launch of the Muncie Children’s Museum and have continued to support the museum by serving on the board of directors and volunteering since the 1970s.
Kynda Rinker, executive director of the Muncie Children’s Museum, says Muncie Tri Kappa has been a longtime supporter of the Muncie Children’s Museum through grants, educational programming and activities.
“The Muncie Children’s Museum is sincerely grateful for all of the support from Tri Kappa over so many years,” Rinker says. “Our success can be attributed to the wonderful friends and donors we have gained over the years, including the amazing women of Tri Kappa.”
Annual Muncie Tri Kappa community grants have supported Muncie Public Library Art & Artifact Project, Ivy Tech Foundation student emergency fund and Meals on Wheels meals, Muncie Civic Theatre costume shop renovations and Open Door Health Services family resource room.
“Being able to raise funds and then watch them go out to organizations in our community is a great feeling,” Sarah says. “We truly have the best small-business owners and supporters around.”
Muncie Tri Kappa awards three scholarships annually to outstanding high school students who have made significant contributions to both their high school and community.
The BLiNGO event menu includes chicken croissants, chips and a soda or water. Add-on menu items include hummus and crackers, cheese and crackers, and snack mix. A cash bar hosted by Mr. Mouse will be onsite. The event also features a live DJ, a gently used designer purse sale, raffle baskets, a 50/50 drawing and a “Whiskey, Wine or Dine Pull.”
“Grab your girlfriends and join us for a Kentucky Derby-themed BLiNGO fundraiser hosted by Muncie Tri Kappas,” Sarah says. “Find your best ‘Run for the Roses’ dresses and big hats.”
Muncie Tri Kappa BLiNGO is Thursday, April 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. BLiNGO begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include 10 games of BLiNGO and a meal. Additional bingo cards can be purchased for $10 each. Muncie Tri Kappa BLiNGO is a cash-only event.
Ticket prices are $40 for a single ticket or $360 for a reserved table of 8.
To reserve your tickets, email muncietrikappablingo@gmail.com. For more information on Muncie Tri Kappa, visit muncietrikappa.org. Checks can be made payable to Muncie Tri Kappa.
Event sponsors include Burke Realty, F45 Training, KG Travel Co., Manor Brother’s Concrete Work, Mathewson Law P.C., myhELo, Northwest Towing Recovery, 1816: Wealth Management Partners of Raymond James and Wasson’s Nursery.
