For the sixth year, Women in Business, a networking group within the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, is holding a purse drive to benefit Solid Ground, a nonprofit organization that helps families find relief from homelessness. The majority of the families housed at these various locations are single mothers with young children; the purse drive began as a way to offer gifts to the mothers over the holidays.
“Christmastime comes and a lot of people give to the kids,” says Maureen Francis, office manager for the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, “but not a lot give to the moms.” The purse drive is a great opportunity to give these mothers something to look forward to over the holidays.
The concept is pretty simple: Community members can donate new or very gently used purses, and local businesses fill them with useful products and fun gifts. This year the purse drive hopes to collect at least 40 handbags to fill by early December in time for the holidays and Solid Ground’s annual holiday party, where the purses will be distributed. So, ladies, next time you decide it’s time for a new purse, pick up an extra and bring it to the chamber office at 4571 Highway 61, White Bear Lake.
