4th annual Power of the Purse auction supports children’s book program

Local women attend United Way’s “The Power of the Purse” live auction in February 2019. CONTRIBUTED.

Local women attend United Way’s “The Power of the Purse” live auction in February 2019. CONTRIBUTED.

An estimated 300 women across Clark County will have the chance to enjoy a night filled with auctions, a purse boutique, food and music in Springfield on Friday.

The Women’s Giving Society and United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties will host its fourth annual Power of the Purse auction to help raise money for a local children’s library program.

“The event was created four years ago as a signature event for women in our community who are interested in making change through their personal financial investment,” said Kerry Pedraza, executive director for United Way.

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All the money raised at the event will support the Clark County Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL), which provides books to children up to age five.

“Supporting this program is easy to do because of how tangible and relatable it is to all women,” Pedraza said. “One hundred percent of the dollars raised for the Imagination Library are used to benefit the children in Clark County.”

Tickets cost $45 at the door, and $25 of each ticket will be used to sponsor a child for one year through the program. A child enrolled in the program will get a free, age-appropriate book mailed to them monthly.

“Over the five years a child is a part of the program, he/she will have their own personal library of 60 books,” said Pedraza. “Beyond the advancement of a child’s literacy level, this program encourages parents and guardians to read with the child thus creating a bond between them.”

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The United Way has distributed over 75,000 books to children in their three-county area, and the program currently has 3,274 children enrolled.

The DPIL is a partnership between the Dolly Parton Foundation, United Way, Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library, local educators, libraries and other sponsors and funders, Van Zart said.

Parents or guardians can register their children online at https://www.uwccmc.org/dolly-parton-imagination-library.

The Power of the Purse event will take place on Friday, Feb. 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 S. Limestone St.

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