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Pack a Purse carries forward
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Marian Hodge of Teach Right, left, and Glenda King of Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program are out to pack a purse for ECVWAPs clients. - photo by Photo by Calli Arnold

Local organizations and businesses again have reached out to meet a need at Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program.
ECVWAP director Glenda King put out the call to “Pack a Purse” in October, and the public latched on to the idea.

“We always have tried to give individuals who leave our office something to make them feel special,” she said. “And a friend of mine suggested that we do ‘Pack a Purse.’ I went in and talked about it at a few places and it really caught on and we’ve had lots of people respond.”

Marian Hodge, owner of Teach Right in Rincon, decided that Pack a Purse would be her holiday giving and enlisted the help of Effingham County High School FBLA. Together, they collected 26 purses with different items inside each bag.

“I took it on as what I wanted to do for Christmas,” said Hodge. “I put it on my Facebook and my website. And I thought it was just a great idea.”

The purses were filled with magazines, gloves, hand lotion, nail polish and other items, but they also always include a journal and pens.

“We always include a journal and a pen because journaling is good for our mental health, all of us,” King said.

A men’s group from Corinth Baptist Church collected diaper bags, and a child and her grandmother brought in 10 bags for children.

“So we have something for everyone that comes in,” King said. “And it just puts a smile on their face, makes them feel special.”

Participants thus far include: Corinth Baptist Church, Countryside Baptist, Gulfstream, Dewitt Insurance, Exchange Club, Zion Lutheran, Guyton Women’s Club, Effingham Women in Business, Teach Right, ECHS FBLA, individuals and a Mary Kay representative.

The bags will be given out and collected throughout the year. Anyone wishing to donate or needing more information can contact ECVWAP at 754-7460.