The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Power of the Purse event to aid women, children in need
MIDDLETOWN — When a group of highly motivated and caring women come together, each with their own diverse backgrounds and life experiences, they can have a tremendous impact on whatever cause they choose.
Fortunately for us, we have the Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative and they form an incredible team. They take their time and talents to fundraise for women and children to achieve a better life in Middlesex County.
In just a few short weeks, on June 14, they are hosting the 10th annual Power of the Purse event. This event is aimed to raise funds to disburse throughout the year to programs that support women and children through Middlesex County.
The funds raised at last summer’s event allowed the Women’s Initiative to provide grants to many programs, including Middlesex Hospital’s Community Garden Club Partnership, Reach Out & Read Middlesex County Early Literacy Initiative, Children’s Law Center Legal Representation in Middlesex County, Before and After School Recreation Enrichment Program of Durham & Middlefield, Middletown Thanksgiving Project, Girl Scouts of Connecticut Campership Program, Kiwanis Foundation of Middletown’s Warm the Children, Middlesex YMCA’s My Time Camp Ingersoll Youth Scholarships, John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency, Epoch Arts Outreach Program for Girls, Middletown Public Schools’ 21st Century Summer Swim Program, East Hampton Seamster Park Playground, Family School Connection, and Middlesex Community College Youth Programming Camp.
This year will be their 10th anniversary, and they will be celebrating 10 years of funding small grants that empower women, promote financial stability, and encourage healthy choices in women and children. In celebration of the 10th year, please consider making a cash donation in addition to your ticket purchase. Donations of $100 or more will be listed in our event program under “Friend of the Women’s Initiative.”
Along with the contribution from your purchased ticket, there will be more fundraising opportunities at this event. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items. These items are not limited to just purses, but also a various array of themed holders and other containers will be available.
Past items have included designer handbags from brands such as Coach, Kate Spade and Dooney & Bourke; golf packages with a cooler and tees, a ladies’ toolkit, a night out on the town, complete with an evening clutch and a gift certificate for a limousine service; a family game night set, including popular board games; gift certificates to salons and spas and much more. Some of our higher auction items included tickets to the Country Concert Series, an overnight stay with complimentary breakfast for two at Mohegan Sun, New York Yankees tickets, and a weekend away at Cape Cod.
Power of the Purse tickets are $50 and available at middlesexunitedway.org /PowerofthePurse.
If you cannot attend but wish to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would like to contribute to the silent auction, call us at 860-346-8695 or download the form and mail it to us at 100 Riverview Center, Suite 230, Middletown 06457.
This year’s Power of the Purse is generously sponsored by Liberty Bank, Change, Inc., Middlesex Hospital and The Connection. For information about the Middlesex United Way Women’s Initiative, visit middlesexunitedway.org/ WI.