United Way of Lewis County's Power of the Purse event to return Aug. 6

The United Way’s Power of the Purse, Lewis County’s largest women’s event, will continue to motivate connectivity and passion for supporting the local community as the event returns on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Power of the Purse will take place at Centralia College’s TransAlta Commons beginning at 4 p.m.

The evening will present opportunities for networking and socializing as well as a chance to win prizes in raffles. United Way’s 2024 Woman of Distinction Award will also be presented during the event.

The Woman of Distinction Award recognizes a local woman who is passionate about improving the lives of others by investing their time and talents, and who exhibits leadership, compassion and commitment to serving those in need in Lewis County.

To date, United Way has presented the award to 10 local women.

Proceeds from Power of the Purse fund United Way’s poverty reduction efforts in Lewis County. In addition to supporting the broad goals of reducing poverty, guests will have the opportunity to support Women’s United’s program, Supplies Period, directly.

The program addresses the crisis of “period poverty,” which affects one in four teenage girls in Lewis County. Attendees can contribute monetary gifts as well as period supplies. Women United is an affiliate group of United Way founded in 2019 and focused on programs lifting women and children out of poverty.

In addition to Supplies Period, Women United is launching a new initiative called “Fresh as a Daisy.” Local school districts have expressed a need for basic hygiene items as demand has risen and students are using school facilities to shower due to a lack of resources at home.

School staff have been trying to keep up with demand for soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste and deodorant, supplying these items to students out-of-pocket, according to the United Way of Lewis County.

Women United is launching this new program at Power of the Purse and will be accepting donations. Donors contributing hygiene items to support the Fresh as a Daisy program, or period supplies to support the Supplies Period program, will be entered into a raffle for a new handbag and a specially-curated collection of items.

This year’s event sponsors include Pacific Mobile Structures, Washington State Employees

Credit Union, TwinStar Credit Union, Columbia Crest Financial Advisors and Vanessa Horning with Edward Jones.

For tickets to Power of the Purse and more detailed information, visit www.lewiscountyuw.com/power-purse or call United Way at 360-748-8100. Individual tickets cost $75, a VIP table of eight costs $1,250 and a regular table of eight costs $800