Purses Full of Hope come to rescue of women in need
CHADDS FORD >> Purses Full of Hope is gearing up for its 2018 Holiday Purse Drive, giving homeless women and women in domestic abuse shelters a little bit of hope this holiday season. Purses Full of Hope is a collaboration of women who strive to give love and support to women seeking safety and shelter in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas by delivering purses filled with toiletries and a personal message of hope to local shelters. The women they reach have suffered from domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and other difficult circumstances.
According to Kyra Miller, co-founder and president of the organization, the purses are given to women who often flee their homes with little to no belongings and are not only in need of various personal hygiene products, but of something that can empower them and remind them of their resilience when they arrive at a shelter. By donating a purse filled with toiletries, hygiene and beauty products, people are empowering another woman, giving her a sense of purpose, and often changing her life.
The Purses Full of Hope team collects gently used purses from individuals, groups and businesses across the region. Purses Full of Hope began in 2015 with a little over 100 donations from the Delaware County area and expanded into South Jersey and Philadelphia. To date, more than 2,000 purses have been collected.
The 2018 drive is underway and donations are being collected through Dec. 17. Suggested items include: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, perfume, tampons, pads, body lotion, feminine wipes, makeup, nail polish, chapstick, a first aid kit, pencils and pens, an adult coloring book, an inspirational book and a journal. The purse must also include a handwritten note to the woman who will receive the donation. This note is important as it gives the woman receiving the purse love, guidance and a little hope. The note is also an opportunity to personalize the experience, woman to woman.
Donations are being collected at these local places: Monday-Saturday, Dec 1015,, Ridley Township Public Library and Resource Center, 100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom; Sunday, Dec. 16 at BeSoul Studio,
1609 Baltimore Pike, unit
401, Chadds Ford, all day in a collection bin on the deck area of the studio; and from now until Dec. 31 during normal business hours at Boutique W, 5001 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. Other drop-off locations are in Malvern, Frazer, Berwyn, Royersford and Philadelphia. The Purse of Hope mission is to give support and empower the recipient. Those interested in holding a drive, or finding a nearby drop-off location, can e-mail Purse Full of Hope for more details at info@pursesfullofhope.org/.
VFW 928 hosts Christmas party
Herbert W. Best VFW Post 928 will hold a Christmas Party 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at the post, 1805 MacDade Blvd., Folsom. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be there with gifts and candy. Refreshments will be served. For more info, call the post at 610-4611226.
Program on risk of falling offered at Brinton Lake
The County of Delaware Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) is working collaboratively with Crozer-Keystone Health System to offer the Healthy Steps for Older Adults Program at Brinton Lake. The twosession, evidence-based program, proven to help reduce the risk of falls among older adults, will be held on Mondays, December 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Crozer-Keystone Health System’s Brinton Lake Facility, 300 Evergreen Drive, 1st Floor Conference Room, Glen Mills.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that every 20 minutes an older adult in the U.S. dies from a fall and that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Many people do not know that fear of falling can actually become a self-fulfilling prophecy, putting them at an increased risk for falls. People can address their fears by educating and equipping themselves with the right tools, which can make a difference in their life and their risk for falling. Seniors must register for the sessions by contacting Joe Miller at 610-447-2060.
Christmas Eve services at Grace Lutheran to feature violinists
The Grace Lutheran Church, , 2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall, will begin its 7 p.m. Christmas Eve candlelight service this year on Dec. 24, with highly-skilled violinists Michael Shingo Crawford and Isaac Dae Young, offering arrangements of German, Austrian, and Spanish carols. In addition to the congregational singing of traditional carols, the Choir will sing, and soprano Megnot Toggia will sing at communion. The community welcome.
Delco Business and Professional Women to meet
The Delaware County Business and Professional Women’s Club will meet Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Lamb Tavern, 865 West Springfield Road, Springfield. The Club’s holiday party will have entertainment provided by singer and musician Tom Surynt. The Club will also be collecting items for PathwaysPA and books for Laundromat Library League. Cocktails and networking begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is
$30. All are invited to attend. For information or reservations, call 610-5665035 or 215-606-8874.
St. Francis Over- 50 Club celebrates Christmas with party
Saint Club in is Francis Over 50 Springfield will hold its Christmas luncheon at Drexelbrook Thursday, Dec. 13. Social hour is 12 noon, followed by the lunch at 1 p.m. The club has some upcoming trips to Resorts Casino in Atlantic City on Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and Mar. 18. Cost is
$23, with a return of $25 in slot play. Bus leaves at 10 a.m. Call Bob Hodgson at
610-449-2956 or 610-5065417 to reserve a seat. Another trip to see “Late Nite Catechism” comedy show titled “Sister Rolls the Dice” will be held March
31. Cost is $85 and includes bus, show, and a full course luncheon at Tuscany Restaurant. Bus leaves 9 a.m. from Springfield Library,
70 Powell Rd. Call Maria Santone to reserve a seat at at 610-544-7664 or 610745-0820. For club membership information, call Betty Pote at 610-544-7570.