Women Working Wonders Fund (WWWF) Presents Power of the Purse Plus Online Auction

A 2020 Women Working Wonders Fund grant to Lowell General Hospital’s Cancer Center will be used toward the purchase of breast boards,  devices used to provide a comfortable prone position for women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer, which can also ensure a more accurate dose of targeted radiation.

Lowell, MA – The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, will host their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event as an Online Auction and Raffle from October 10 to 16, 2020. This reimagined and socially distant Power of the Purse Plus fundraiser is where handbags and accessories take center stage.

“Local women have suffered huge setbacks in their financial wellbeing, their jobs and careers, their health, as well as their ability to access childcare and education for their children,” said Susan West Levine, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “This year, more than ever, Women Working Wonders stands firm in our commitment to improve the lives of girls and women in Greater Lowell.”

This year’s Power of the Purse Plus features exclusive Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton Raffles. Tory Burch raffle tickets are $20 each with a $10 special on National Handbag Day (Oct. 10), with 500 available.  Louis Vuitton raffle tickets are $50, there are 250 available. Additionally, there will be over 50 auction items available. Raffle tickets may be purchased online through the Women Working Wonders website.

Proceeds from the Power of the Purse Plus event support local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community. Women Working Wonders provides annual grants in three key areas: assisting women in transition, providing leadership development, and contributing to the beautification of the environment.

The 2020 WWW Grant Recipients include:

  • Community Teamwork, Inc. for Support for Minority Women Childcare Service Providers – $10,000
  • Dignity Matters Inc. for Period Protection to Support Greater Lowell Providers – $10,000
  • Lowell General Hospital for Cancer Center / Cancer Services Breast Boards for Radiation Therapy Treatment Providers – $10,000
  • South Sudanese Enrichment for Families for Women’s Financial Literacy Programming: Whole Family Health and Stability – $3,825 
  • Women Accelerators for The Accelerating Women Leadership Program – $9,885
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell member Kemigisa shows off one of her F.L.Y. projects (Forever Loving Yourself). The F.L.Y. program was a 2019 Women Working Wonders Fund grant recipient.

“The grant from the Women Working Wonders Fund allowed us to offer programming to teens to build skills that are often overlooked in school,” said Joe Hungler, executive director, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell, a 2019 Women Working Wonders Fund grant recipient. “The F.L.Y. (Forever Loving Yourself) program developed the leadership skills necessary for young women to make strong decisions regarding personal wellness, relationships, and effective communication.”

“We know that a purse is more than a mere accessory or fashion statement,” said Carolyn Gregoire, Women Working Wonders Fund board vice president . “The purse is a symbol of power, of a collective philanthropic dedication to improve the lives of girls and women, and thus improving our community.  Times are tough, but so are we.”

“We are very grateful for the support of the Women’s Working Wonders Fund to make sure women coping with breast cancer can get the best possible cancer care, close to home,” said Elisa Shanahan, Director of Operations for the Cancer Center, a 2020 Women Working Wonders Fund grant recipient. “The breast boards that were funded are one more tool we have to surround our patients with support and treat the whole person, not just the patient.”

For more information, visit womenworkingwondersfund.com or contact womenworkingwondersfund@gmail.com.

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