United Way of East Mississippi preps for auction
Women will have a lot to choose from during United Way of East Mississippi’s Power of the Purse live and silent auction.
“It’s actually a fundraiser where we’ll have designer purses and handbags and specialty items for women,” said Sara Odom, vice president of Resource Development and Communications.
The event takes place August 24 at the MSU Riley Center. All proceeds will benefit the organization’s Imagination Library program, which sends children from birth to five years old a free book in the mail every month.
“A child can actually go to kindergarten in our community with 60 books completely for free. We’re just trying to reinforce that early childhood development and literacy in our area,” said Odom.
The Power of the Purse is a fun night of hors d’ oeuvres and wine. During the live auction, women will have the chance to pick up a paddle and bid on their favorite purse.
“We raised roughly $30,000 last year, so the more tickets sold, the more we can help this amazing program,” said Odom.
Tickets are $3.
“The reason that the women made the ticket price $30 is because that’s what it costs to provide books for one child for a year in this program. So, when you buy a ticket to this event, you’re already supporting imagination library before you even purchase an item at the event,” said Odom.
Local and out-of-state businesses have donated over 150 purses for this year’s event.
“There will be a little bit of everything in every different price range, which is great because everybody that comes can leave with something if they want to,” said Odom.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For a sneak peak of auction items. Bidding starts at 6:00.
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