MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Purse auctions, food and drinks will all be in attendance at the seventh annual Power of the Purse Fundraiser.
Put on by Women United of United Way, the event raises money for early childhood education and “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library” in Monongalia County. MVB Bank Market Leader Amy Armentrout joins WAJR’s “Talk of the Town” on the fundraiser details.
“It is a night full of purse auctions and raffles,” Armentrout said. “We have anywhere from your smaller purses to large purses and two really great items this year sponsored by some local businesses. We are looking forward to a night full of fun.”
Each ticket priced at $100 includes hors d’oeuvres, two drinks, five raffle tickets, reserved seating and a year long sponsorship for a child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
“Our larger sponsors are sold out at this time, which we’re super grateful for the local businesses and organizations that have taken those, and then individual tickets are also available,” Armentrout said.
United Way’s goal from this event is to be able to provide children without access to books that opportunity.
“Kiddos that have books in their library from the start of their infancy actually do have a better outcome in school and I know their vocabulary is about 55 words larger than those who may not have access to books” Armentrout said. “It does not matter your socioeconomic status and that’s one of Dolly’s biggest things is that it doesn’t matter where you come from or how much money your parents make, she wants to make kids have access to those books as early as she can.”
The Power of the Purse Fundraiser takes place on Thursday, June 19 at the Erickson Alumni Center. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m.