2015 Power of the Purse Chair Jessica Gressett, at left, with event co-chair Haley Merrill Booker, show off donations of Louis Vuitton purses from COACH corporate offices in NYC.

    The third annual Power of the Purse fundraiser for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is slated for Thursday at the MSU Riley Center.

    A sneak peak of inventory to be auctioned will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the event will commence at 6 p.m.

    Sponsored by Women’s Leadership, a division of United Way of East Mississippi, Power of the Purse will feature a silent auction of “purse” items, including designer purses donated by area shops and original artisan pieces created in purse form. Other items will include painted canvases, pottery, jewelry, wire sculptures and gift certificates.    

    Women’s Leadership Council Publicity Chair Susie Broadhead said the evening promises to be lively and entertaining.

    “Angie Denney, and Ashley ShahAhmadi will emcee the fundraiser, and Larry Sims from Laurel will be the auctioneer,” Broadhead said. “Larry is returning to POP for the third year to maximize every live auction bid that is paddled up. We pay him in sweat equity as he comes in dry and leaves soaking wet. We couldn’t do POP without Larry and his team.”

    Jessica Gressett, who is chairing the event, said a lot of effort goes into it.

    “Our entire committee has given countless hours of their time to make this year’s event a successful one,” Garrett said. “I know we will continue to grow and raise more money for the United Way’s Imagination Library program in the years to come through Power of the Purse.”

    POP committee member Mindy Aunt said she loves the Imagination Library and everything it stands for.

    “Knowing that a child can have a book each month for a donation of $30 per year — I will do everything I can to help raise money for this cause,” Aunt said. “Plus, what woman doesn’t like a nice handbag? It is a win-win, and such a fun evening to spend with a bunch of girlfriends, enjoying food, buying pretty purses, and raising money for books for kids.”

    Broadhead said the recipient of the Judith Coursey Crowson 2015 Women’s Leadership Award for empowering women to impact their communities by raising awareness for education, income and health will be from Kemper County this year.

    “The name will not be revealed until Thursday night when it is presented by Elisa Mayo, the 2014 recipient,” Broadhead said. “In 2013, at the inaugural Power of the Purse, the Women’s Leadership award was presented posthumously to Judy Crowson a few weeks following her death.

    “The success of Power of the Purse continues to grow and to date our two POP’s from the past have raised over $50,000 to fund literacy in Clarke, Kemper, and Lauderdale counties for children ages 0-5.”

What: Power of the Purse

When: Thursday

Where: MSU Riley Center

Tickets: $30

Sneak Peak – 5:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Event – 6 p.m.

Tickets available at the following locations:

United Way of East Mississippi, K Salon, Cater’s Market, Anderson Pharmacy, Point Rexall Drug and Gift, Simply Irresistable and The Curiosity Shoppe in Quitman.

For more information call 601-693-2732