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Shop, Snack, Sip and Help the Homeless at
“Hope in Handbags-A Purse of you Own” September 9th-10th
Purse donations and sponsors sought for eighth annual fundraiser
to benefit Harford Family House.
The community is invited to shop, snack and sip for a cause at the eighth annual Hope in Handbags event September 9th-10th, 2016 at the Bel Air Armory (37 N. Main St., Bel Air, Md.). Attendees can bid on new designer bags and other items, plus shop a selection of never used or gently used handbags being sold for a fraction of their retail cost, all while enjoying refreshments (Friday only), entertainment, and other activities provided by local vendors. The event is sponsored by Saxon’s Diamond Centers and all proceeds will benefit Harford Family House, the local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting homeless families with children in Harford County.
The event kicks off on Friday September 9th from 6pm-8:30pm at the Bel Air Armory. For a donation of $10, attendees get the first chance to shop for designer handbags, and win door prizes, while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a wine tasting, and can shop the vendor tables. Deborah Owens, author of “A Purse of Your Own” will be present on Friday night selling her book and offering book signings as well. On Saturday, September 10th, doors at the Armory will be open from 10am to 3pm and admission is free.
In addition to the auction and purchases, attendees can support Harford Family House and take a chance to win a stunning Michele Watch, valued at over $1800, donated by Saxon’s Diamond Centers. Second prize for the raffle is a Dooney & Bourke Ravens handbag paired with a signed Joe Flacco official NFL football. Raffle tickets will be on sale before and during the event for only $10. Call 410-273-6700 for additional information.
Last year more than $21,000 was raised for Harford Family House as shoppers chose from more than 1,000 donated purses, including popular brands such as Coach, Dooney & Bourke, and Vera Bradley. Some items were valued at up to $1,000 each, but pricing for some was as low as just $1. All bags are donated by local stores, celebrities and sponsors, and some come stuffed with goodies and are available via silent auction. All silent auction items also have a “Buy It Now” price too, in case attendees see a purse they cannot live without.
Saxon’s Diamond Center is once again the title sponsor for this year’s Hope in Handbags, and Harford Family House is actively seeking other sponsors to join Saxon’s with financial donations, donations of purses, and other items to stuff the auction purses.
The organization’s CEO/Executive Director Robin Tomechko says, “Hope in Handbags is such a fun girls night out and it offers attendees great deals on purses, bags, and other items. This event is also one of our most important fundraisers of the year. It costs just $25 to provide a single night of housing to a parent or child in need, so it’s easy to see the impact that funds raised from this event will have on helping the homeless in our community.”
For more information on sponsorship or for details about where to drop off your donated handbags, call 410-273-6700 or visit www.harfordfamilyhouse.org
About Harford Family House (http://www.harfordfamilyhouse.org/)
Harford Family House is the largest provider of transitional housing for homeless families with children in Harford County. Other programs include Emergency Shelter for families and HUD Supportive Housing for homeless families where one family member has a disability. Clients are provided with a fully furnished apartment or house and receive case management services and referrals to partner agencies to move them from homelessness and hopelessness to hope and independence.
