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Wlaf1450Power of the Purse Program to benefit CHET’s Domestic Violence Shelter
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- “Clean out your closes and make a difference in someone’s life.” Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET) is currently collecting purses for the 2026 Power of the Purse Program which will benefit CHET’s Domestic Violence Shelter.
Fundraising programs such as this are conducted throughout the nation to benefit domestic violence shelters, but this is the first time for CHET to host this type of fundraiser.
Purses are collected and then resold or auctioned at CHET’s fundraiser to raise awareness and support for the domestic violence shelter. All of the proceeds from the donations and event will go to fund the shelter.
“Power of the Purse is our newest fundraiser benefiting our domestic violence shelter. It is also symbolic of the fact that often when a victim is fleeing a situation, they may only have time to grab their purse,” said CHET’s Marketing and Public Relations Director April Bozeman.
New and gently used purses and wallets will be collected and then “resold at very discounted prices” CHET’s event on Saturday, March 28.
“We will turn the clinic lobby into our very own purse boutique. We will also have a silent auction for the higher end purses. We will have several brands such as Coach, Michael Kors, Dooney & Burke, Patrica Nash, Sak, Guess, Anne Klien just to name a few. We are asking the community to come out and support this important cause and donate a purse and shop at our boutique. Our goal is to collect 500 purses for the event. All donations are tax deductible,” Bozeman said.
CHET’s Human Resources Manager Carol Vinsant said since the purse fundraiser sale is March 28, it’s a great chance for “ladies to pick out a new purse for Easter Sunday” while helping out a great local cause. Easter is April 5.
“We hope to have 500 donated purses which are gently used or new to sell for $10 to $40 dollars. We have also been getting new designer purses ($100 to $400) donated by individuals and businesses to have for a silent auction during the event in our large conference room. Each of these purses will have a flyer beside them listing who donated them. We hope to have 10 to 20 of these,” Vinsant said.
Since this event is for CHET’s domestic violence shelter, it is also a domestic violence awareness event.
“We will be putting a credit card size description of what to get from your home when you are leaving a domestic violence situation into each purse,” Vinsant said.
Purses and wallets can be dropped off at several locations around town.
Donations of new or gently used purses and wallets are being taken. Organizers ask that the purses and wallets be in good condition, free of rips, stains, holes and tears.
According to Bozeman, this fundraiser will provide much needed funds for the domestic violence shelter.
“Although the shelter is funded by a state grant it is not enough to keep the shelter operating. They rely on donations and fundraisers to offset costs that are not covered by the grant. The Power of the Purse is an important fundraiser for the shelter with the possibility of an excellent source of funds. It allows us to maintain a secret safe haven for victims of domestic violence, not only for our county but surrounding counties as well,” Bozeman said.
Purses and wallets can be dropped off at the following locations:
Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET)
Community Trust Bank, LaFollette and Jacksboro
Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)
People’s Bank of the South, LaFollette and Jacksboro
United Cumberland Bank
Contact April Bozeman at CHET with any questions at 423.563.1035.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/19/2026-6AM)