NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation’s signature event, the 23rd annual Duck Classic, raised more than $885,000 to fund the operations of six key programs that provide free services to NEA Baptist communities. The two-day event kicked off on Thursday, Dec. 11 with a banquet at the First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas, followed by a competitive duck hunt with 24 teams on Friday, Dec. 12.
The event attracted more than 2,200 attendees and hunters from more than 10 states who enjoyed premier hunting locations thanks to the generosity of local landowners and hunting clubs. Local and national sponsors and more than 100 volunteers came together to help make the event a success.
The hunt was extra competitive this year. It was the first time in the 23-year history of the event that a tiebreaker was needed for first place. After point totals were calculated for harvested ducks, the tiebreaker was the first-place team calling in to signal the end of their hunt a few minutes before the second-place team.
Community services funded by proceeds from Duck Classic include grief counseling, health and wellness for children and adults, cancer support, medication affordability assistance and help for parents experiencing a miscarriage or the death of an infant.
