Clark County event unites women for fun, fundraiser

More fun and reading opportunities will result when the Women’s Giving Society’s second annual Power of the Purse returns.

The fundraiser event combining food and fun will be 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center in downtown Springfield.

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Proceeds go to the Clark County Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which gives children free, age-appropriate books.

Based on the reception of the first Power of the Purse event, anticipation is high for the second, said Kerry Pedraza, executive director of United Way of Clark, Champaign and Madison Counties, which is also presenting the event.

“It was hugely successful. The feedback we got was great but people wanted it to last longer,” she said.

In response, it has been pushed back a half-hour and another half-hour was added.

Power of the Purse raised $17,000 its debut year, exceeding the expectations of $8,000 to $10,000, Pedraza said, leading to hundreds of area children receiving books.

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Of the admission price of $40 (pre-sale) or $45 (at the door), $25 will be contributed to the Imagination Library.

Event highlights include a variety of food and music spun by DJ Chill, who will also bring his photo booth for added fun, and live and silent auctions.

There will be more and better auction items, Pedraza said, with several people and businesses donating items, including bed and breakfast getaways, sports tickets, restaurants and pottery.

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In 2017, a challenge was issued to Clark County schools to donate auction baskets and centerpieces, with a contest for the best. Enon Primary School’s took first place out of 10 participants and earned bragging rights for the school and $100 for its library.

Clark State Community College President Jo Alice Blondin will be the night’s featured speaker, talking about the importance of literacy.

“There’s a lot of power in that room,” Pedraza said. “People love the cause and it is really easy to help our children be better prepared.”

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