On Sunday, February 1, the CarsonStrong Foundation hosted its 4th Annual Purse Bingo fundraiser at Encore Event Center, and the result was nothing short of unforgettable. With boots dusted off and a little extra glitz and glam in the room, more than 400 guests joined us for an afternoon of fun, connection, and impact—making this our largest Purse Bingo event yet.
Guests played 10 high-energy rounds of bingo, competing for designer purses from brands like Coach and Gucci, plus the coveted Louis Vuitton that always brings the room to its feet. In total, more than 70 purses were given away throughout the day between bingo rounds and raffles. The excitement never slowed, thanks in large part to our incredible hosts: Kristi Capel, Michael Allio, Sarah Kay, and Ahmaad Crump. They kept the energy high, the laughs coming, and the crowd fully engaged all afternoon.
The event began on a powerful note as Carson’s older brother, Brett, shared a moving reflection on Carson’s courage and spirit—the heart behind everything the Foundation does. Guests then watched a short video featuring two Gift of Time Together moms sharing what these experiences meant to their families. The room fell silent as Alissa, the mother of Trenton, spoke about the time their family was gifted together before Trenton passed away at 21. Her words were a heartfelt reminder of why this mission matters and the lasting impact meaningful time together can have.
While there were plenty of emotional moments, Purse Bingo was also filled with laughter, friendly competition, and celebration. Raffles and bingo prizes were won throughout the day, and FunBooth added an extra layer of excitement with a 360 photo booth that captured guests’ best dance moves, glam looks, and group fun.
Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, sponsors, and volunteers, the event raised over $140,000 in support of the Gift of Time Together program. This funding will allow the CarsonStrong Foundation to serve at least 30 more families, providing them with valuable time together when it’s needed most.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this record-breaking day possible. Purse Bingo continues to be more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of community, compassion, and the power of showing up for families when it matters most.
