Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Now in its 23rd year, Duck Classic concluded Friday with a record $885,000 raised for the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation, $25,000 more than last year’s total of $860,000.

The event stretched over two days. The evening of Thursday, Dec. 11 saw thousands gather at the First National Bank Arena for a banquet kick-off. The banquet included both a silent and a live auction, both geared toward raising additional funds for the foundation.

Raffle tickets were also sold at the event. Prizes included a $15,000 Gamble Home shopping spree and a “Duck Truck” donated by Central Dealerships and tricked out by Parish Automotive. Raffle tickets cost $100 each and were capped at 850 total tickets sold.

Friday morning, Dec. 12, groups of duck hunters, hosted by local guides and landowners, headed out in an attempt to win first place in the Duck Classic competition. When they returned to Jonesboro, they were served lunch at DNW Outdoors while judging took place. The winners were announced the same day.

The mission of the NEA Baptist Charitable Foundation is to change the lives of the people in Northeast Arkansas. All money raised through the Duck Classic stays local and is distributed to six free programs within the foundation: Medicine Assistance Program, HopeCircle, Center for Healthy Children, Wellness Works, Center for Good Grief, and ShareHope.

The event is run by over 100 volunteers and is the largest fundraiser of the year for the foundation.