Power of the Purse powers along to 5th year

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
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About 300 people opened their purses to support children’s literacy at the fifth annual Power of the Purse event held Thursday at the Holiday Inn City Center.

Tables lined with themed handbag collections surrounded the perimeter of the room in a silent auction and luncheon event to benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each bag was filled with other goods that matched the theme. For example: A woven straw bag titled "Beach Bound" also contained a towel, sunscreen and other items for a day at the beach. A few items on the auction block were standalone — not associated with a purse or bag — but the bulk of the 43 purchased or donated items were "purse-centric."

Tickets sold for $30 per person while corporate table sponsorships were priced at $500. These funds combined with the winning auction bids are expected to raise more than $7,400, said Angie Ruth, director of finance and administration for United Way. Although the event is promoted by United Way, it is not a charitable organization funded by United Way. It is a committee-driven event by Power of the Purse committee members, said Ruth.

Guest speaker Kathryn O’Brien, Early Childhood/Parent & Community Services Supervisor with the Fort Smith Public Schools, spoke about children’s literacy and the Parents As Teachers program or PAT.

"Children who have a home library of 25 or more books do better on literacy tests in third grade," she said in reference to studies promoting reading during a child’s early years.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends a book each month to children registered with program. It is open to all children from birth up to age four (the last book is received on the child’s fifth birthday).

In Arkansas, only Sebastian, Crawford, Logan and Franklin counties participate in the program with about 1,700 children receiving a monthly book that is age-appropriate. The books are provided by the Penguin Group, a publishing company. The program extends into Canada and also the United Kingdom. Ruth said it costs about $30 per child per year to supply the books and cover the cost of shipping.