Second annual Power of the Purse raises over $20,000

One hundred and ten women gathered to enjoy appetizers, cocktails, desserts, and purses to support a good cause at the second annual Power of the Purse event held last Tuesday, June 16 at the Owaotnna Country Club. 
The event, which is put on by the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, featured both a silent and live auction as well as a wall of wine with all the proceeds going toward the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. 
The Women’s Leadership Council is made up of around 75 women who help to advance the mission of the United Way by donating an annual gift of $1,000 or more. 
“In total the Women’s Leadership Council has donated almost $100,000 to United Way of Steele County. Talk about the power of the purse, the power of women,” said United Way Executive Director Kim Schaufenbuel during the evening’s program.  “I just love all the enthusiasm here and the special joy that comes from spending time among other women, especially women that are working on our community and trying to make things better.” 
This year the event raised $20,450 with a goal of $15,000, as compared to last year’s total of $14,000. Whereas last year’s event was needed to get the program up and running, this year the proceeds will pay for shipping costs associated with the Imagination Library. 
United Way Director of Strategic Operations Tanya Paley was please with the event’s turn out. 
“It is a great energy in the room and a lot of really fun people. I’m very pleased with the number of people that are here. Last year we had around 100 people and this year it is more, so it is growing so that is fun to see,” Paley said. 
The Imagination Library is designed for children from birth to the age of five. Each month the child is enrolled n the program they get an age-appropriate book maile to their house at no cost to the family. 
“The thing that is special about this program is just the fact that we make it easy for families. It is free and it is coming to their home because we know how busy families are and how transportation can sometimes be a problem,” Paley said.  “We know families want to be able to read to their children so we want to make that as easy as possible.” 
When Steele County first signed up for the program it was estimated that around 350 kids would enroll in the program within the first year, however, currently there are over 900 children enrolled. 
There were 77 items featured in the silent auction, mainly themed purses such as twin’s gear, hair products, or athletic equipment. The live auction featured ten items some of which included one dessert a month for a year, an airplane ride for two, cupcake decorating party for eight and an Italian dinner for six. 
Jennifer Wayne, of Blooming Prairie, attended the event last year and decided to return this year after being invited by a co-worker. 
“It is just a really good program for kids. I am a strong advocate of reading to kids when they are young and getting books in their hands,” she said. “Getting books into the hands of every kid in Steele County is really important. I know that there is a lot of kids that probably don’t get books.” 
Marty Fetters, of Owatonna, also attended the event last year, as she is a member of the Women’s Leadership Council. 
“I’m excited about the increase they’ve had this year in selling tickets and just the quality of these purses. They are just amazing donations from the women in the Leadership Council and from other ladies who couldn’t come tonight who wanted to be a part of it,” she said. 
Fetters enjoyed having a ladies night out and seeing all of the purses. In fact, she had her eye on about a dozen of the purses in the silent auction. 
“It is just exciting to know that literacy is being multiplied in our county and that there is good support behind it. There are a lot of people who are willing to take part in it,” Fetters said. 
Medford Mayor Lois Nelson attended the event for the first time this year because she was not able to last year due to a scheduling conflict. 
“I want to support the Imagination Library and literacy for kids, I am all for it. It is a great way to catch up with long-time acquaintances and meet new people and while you are here to enjoy the wonderful wine, food and company,” Nelson said. 
Nelson thinks the program is important, “Because I am a grandmother who reads to her grandkids, whose parents read to their kids and I truly believe that that connection from birth on to age five. It gives them something to look forward to each month,” she said.