Power of a Purse
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Power of a Purse 2011
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We are participating in this great event again this year. Bring in a new or gently used purse to Darn Knit Anyway from May 1 – June 1 and get 20% off one of a new handmade purse!
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We are encouraging mothers to reach for the power of their purses more purposefully. In honor of mothers, the Twin Cities East chapter of Mothers & More will sponsor Power of a Purse May 1 – June 1 with the aim of activating mothers’ involvement in their life-long financial health.
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Year round, the Twin Cities East chapter brings mothers together for support connections in Woodbury, Oakdale, Stillwater, and nearby Washington County communities. At Mother’s Day each year, Mothers & More focuses attention on key social and economic issues that affect mothers’ lives and well-being.
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During Power of a Purse 2011, Mothers & More invites Twin Cities residents to donate new or like-new purses that will be given to mothers seeking refuge at Tubman, Minnesota’s largest multi-service domestic violence agency. The Twin Cities East chapter collected over 700 handbags for Power of a Purse in 2010 and Tubman received $500 from patrons of Woodbury Jazzercise, a Power of a Purse partner. Each purse builds on over 10,000 purses donated through Mothers & More chapters across the country to mothers receiving aid from social service organizations, bringing recipients a sense of hope and community support.
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“Power of a Purse highlights moms right here in Minnesota who face financial hardships as they emerge from personal trauma or family crisis,” says Dee Kauffman, Mothers & More project manager for Power of a Purse in Washington County. “More than an accessory, a purse and its contents reflect the many roles and responsibilities mothers shoulder every day. We hope that providing something as simple as a new purse to carry will be uplifting as they make that journey.”
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Today’s families rely on the income mothers contribute to essential expenses like food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, moms serve as primary or co-breadwinners in 63 percent of U.S. families with children under age 18. The White House Women in America report (March 2011) shows women’s earnings comprise a growing share of household income across all family types over the past 20 years.
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“Financial dependency is one of the primary reasons that people stay in abusive relationships,” says Tubman Executive Director Beverly C. Dusso. “Many of the families in our shelters are forced to leave their belongings behind when fleeing domestic violence. Power of a Purse supports our efforts to help women and families put their lives back together, guiding them on the journey from chaos and fear to healing and stability.”
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Kauffman agrees, “The continued support and enthusiasm for Power of a Purse from the businesses and organizations working with Mothers & More have been overwhelming. They have gotten behind this project with such passion and every one of our 2010 partners is participating again this year.”
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Purses donated for the Power of a Purse may be taken to designated Washington County collection points:
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If you can’t make it to our shop, swing by one of these great supporters and drop off a purse!
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Lake Elmo
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- Munchkin Markets Consignment Sale, Washington County Fairgrounds (4/30 – 5/1)
- Whatnot Boutique, 3459 Lake Elmo Avenue N.
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Marine on St. Croix
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- k. noel photography, 15150 Old Guslander Trail N.
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Oakdale
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- Little Angels Preschool, Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8260 4th Street N.
- Scheduled Mothers & More meetings at Oak Meadows (5/4 & 5/19)
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Stillwater
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- Darn Knit, Anyway, Brick Alley Building, 423 S. Main Street
- Pure Yoga, Liberty Village Marketplace, 105 New England Place Suite 120
- Little Victories Flexible Child Care Center and Preschool, 5595 Memorial Avenue
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Woodbury
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- Primrose School of Woodbury, 10350 City Walk Drive
- Woodbury Jazzercise, 700 Commerce Drive Suite 110
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