Purses Pile Up for Charity

My Girlfriends House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, has shattered its goal of 500 purses to give away to at-risk young ladies and women two weeks into a month-long campaign. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) October 26, 2011 - Glen Burnie, Maryland - My Girlfriends House, Inc. was hoping to give away 500 purses filled with life's necessities to at-risk young ladies and women in the Washington metropolitan area. Halfway through a month-long drive to solicit purse donations, the group has already shattered that goal.

"Last year we distributed 300 purses as part of our Purse Strings drive," said My Girlfriends House executive director, Veronica Eyenga. "When we decided to try for 500, I thought that was an almost impossibly ambitious goal. The amount of support we've received is incredible: we're approaching 600 purses already."

The largest donation came from Beauty-In-A-Purse, a Maryland-based organization that helps women whose lives have been impacted by homelessness, domestic violence and incarceration. "We're excited to be a part of My Girlfriends House's Purse Strings Drive, said BIAP founder, Lanitra Jackson, as BIAP donated 200 purses. ""I understand the commitment and impact of the work of My Girlfriend's House and this was BIAP way of facilitating those efforts to enhance the self-image of at-risk girls and women."

The next challenge, according to Eyenga, will be to stuff the purses with health and beauty aids and personal care items. "We're currently seeking monetary and in-kind donations to fill the purses," she noted. "We've received some corporate and foundation support, and we're aggressively seeking more."

The annual Purse Strings Drive, which benefits high school students as well as women in area homeless shelters, halfway houses and other facilities and programs, is only part of the organization's services, Eyenga noted: the group's primary focus is to mentor at-risk young ladies to help them succeed in school and the workplace, and support them with the Purse Strings drive, college scholarships, clothing and school supplies. "By working with middle and high school students, we can help them rise above their circumstances in every aspect of life," Eyenga noted. "We all had help along the way, and we appreciate the support we're getting to help us give back to the young ladies who need it most."

For more information, visit http://www.mygirlfriendshouse.org.

ABOUT MY GIRLFRIENDS HOUSE, INC.
My Girlfriend's House, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of professional women dedicated to both community service and friendship. The organization improves the lives of at-risk girls and young ladies ages 14-18 in Maryland, Virginia and D.C., with personal care items, school supplies and clothing, and helps them prepare for adulthood and the workplace with scholarships, mentoring and internship opportunities. Members also organize a variety of social activities designed to foster and strengthen new friendships and connections. For more information visit http://www.mygirlfriendshouse.org

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