Purse project volunteers spread cheer

By: 
Leslie Silverman

The women behind the purse project dropped off the purses at Cornerstone women’s shelter Dec. 6.
Amanda Pioche, program manager at Cornerstone, greeted the delivery saying, “this is amazing; I love you to death. Every year you make Christmas special.”
The purse project has been dropping off new or gently used purses filled with necessities to Cornerstone since 2016.
“It makes us know we’re not alone in what we’re doing,” Pioche said of the gifts. “We have a community helping us. You have no idea how much joy you bring here.”
Sue Anderson, the primary Purse Project organizer, takes delight in that appreciation and  says it is the reason she keeps returning each year.
This year Anderson was able to bring extra items to the shelter thanks in part to the generosity of all who donated. Besides the purses for women and pillowcases for the children, the purse project bought new pillows. In addition, extra monetary donations allowed purse project volunteers  to bring sugar and chocolate chips for baking. Each woman will  also receive a card with $5 of spending money inside.
The Purse Project reaches far and wide, not just in distribution but in donation as well. Some purses were sent in from Nashville by a Hill City seasonal resident. Anderson notes, “strangers donate. People we don’t even know help out.”
Pioche calls the women at the shelter resilient, women who need a “safe place.” Cornerstone provides that space, along with a place where women can live independently, cooking and cleaning for themselves. The purses and pillowcases are distributed in a Christmas party where the women at Cornerstone are given a number and get called up, one at a time, to select the bag of their choice.
The evening includes hot cocoa and a Christmas movie, allowing women and their children to relax and enjoy the holiday.
Pioche gave the  purse project volunteers a Christmas card and again expressed her gratitude.
“This is amazing. You make everything so much better. I always have one lady who hasn’t gotten a Christmas gift for years,” she said.
Before  giving Anderson a hug Pioche added, “You make an impact. You do.”
The purse project is also donating to the Hope Center and Women Escaping A Violent Environment in Custer.

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