Organizers with Power of the Purse accepting twice new purses

‘Our main emphasis is on the awareness of domestic violence’- Carol Vinsant, CHET

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Saturday, March 28, is when all the hard work, donations and cooperation come together for the 2026 Power of the Purse event. Proceeds from Power of the Purse benefit CHET’s Domestic Violence Shelter.

“What we’re doing right now is accepting new and gently used purses and wallets. We’re also accepting monetary donations. Your donation is a chance for you to make a difference in someone’s life,” said Carol Vinsant with Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET).

Donations can be dropped off at CHET on Independence Lane, behind the CVS. Other drop off locations include Community Trust Bank at La Follette and Jacksboro, TCAT and Peoples Bank of the South at La Follette and Jacksboro. You can make a monetary donation online or by mail to CHET at P. O. Box 209, Jacksboro, Tennessee 37757.

Vinsant says the goal is to have 500 purses, and they’ll be priced from $10 up to $40 each. Each purse will contain a domestic violence awareness card like the one below.

CHET’s main lobby will be cleared to showcase all the hundreds of purses on Saturday, March 28. The fundraiser is from 10am until noon that day with a silent auction in CHET’s Conference Room. The silent auction will feature 20 new purses.

Admission is three dollars. Attendees will also be able to tour the CHET building.

“Our goal is to raise $10,000. This event will go toward helping us get back into our actual shelter that was damaged in the Flood of 2019,” said Vinsant.

CHET has a 24/7 Crisis Helpline in operation at 423-562-8325.

“We even have some folks donate a purse in honor or in memory of someone special in their life,” said Vinsant.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/28/2026-6AM)