Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – December 11, 2024 – The 22nd annual NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation Duck Classic raised $860,000 for the six programs operated by the foundation.
The Duck Classic consists of a banquet (Tuesday night) at the First National Bank Arena on the Arkansas State campus. There is also a duck hunting competition (Wednesday) where teams of four hunters are placed in duck hunting spots donated by landowners.
1st Place Team: Arkansas Health and Wellness. Pictured: Cody Parish, Will Rusher, Dwane Tankersley, Jud Nix, Will Dannen, Kyle Flanigan and Kim Provost.
2nd Place Team: Arkansas Health and Wellness. Pictured: Cody Parish, Walker Crank, Ashton Harper, Jacob North, Jack Hopkins, Hunter Bray, and Kim Provost.
3rd Place Team: Dr. Jason Colletta’s Team. Pictured Cody Parish, Dr. Jason Coletta, Zane Coletta, Braxton Craine, Corey Trotter and Kim Provost
Duck Classic organizers sold 850 Grand Classic Raffle Tickets. The prizes included a “Duck Truck” donated by Central Chevrolet and “tricked out” by DNW Automotive; a $15,000 shopping spree from Gamble Home Furnishings; and a Bad Boy Bandit 550 Side-by-Side. Two guns were also given away in “bonus” grand classic drawings. The Grand Classic winners were:
Duck Truck – Ron Wachsman
Bad Boy Bandit 550 – Ariane Treat
$15,000 Shopping Spree to Gamble Home – Lee Beal
Franchi – Jesse Taylor
Winchester – Louis Suber
There was also a live auction featuring 27 items including trips, hunting dogs, and more. A silent auction featured items donated by area businesses.
The NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation funds the following programs:
Center for Good Grief – provides free grief counseling, seminars and support for those who have lost a loved one.
Center for Healthy Children – a free program where children struggling with obesity learn how to live an active & healthy lifestyle.
HopeCircle – provides a community of hope and support, free of charge, for families living with a life changing illness.
Medicine Assistance Program – helps patients access the life-saving medications they need, free of charge.
ShareHope – Finding support amidst the grief of losing a baby is possible.
Wellness Works – a free 12-week program for individuals living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer, and COPD.