Handbag Auction

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, Women Sharing Hope will be hosting our 10th annual handbag auction and champagne luncheon at the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham.

Our Handbag Auction includes a silent auction of fabulous thematic handbags, a delightful selection of hand-crafted gift items and exciting raffle items. If you would like to be added to the invitee list, please contact us at info@womensharinghope.org

This year, we will divide proceeds from WSH's handbags between Whatcom Center for Early Learning and Northwest Youth Services Safe Home Program..

Whatcom Center for Early Learning provides early intervention for special needs & developmentally delayed infants and toddlers up to three years of age. Their team of specialists, teachers and families work together as partners to increase well-being, resilience and self-sufficiency in these children with the goals of increased readiness to learn by school age and greater involvement in community life. WCEL currently serves 80 families per month. Funds raised will provide specific group and individual therapies to an increasing number of Whatcom County children needing help.

Northwest Youth Services operates the only public shelter for youth in Whatcom County. This service has been in existence for more than 30 years and is in the process of transitioning from a foster-based model to a staffed residential model. This will ensure continuous availability of beds for runaway, homeless and throwaway youth, ages 12 to 17. The Safe Home Program will provide six beds of emergency shelter, allowing stays from two weeks up to sixty-two days. Additional services include outreach, prevention, drop-in, case management, youth development and aftercare services. In 2007, The Safe Home Program served 236 clients for a total of 810 bed nights. Funds raised will provide for the direct costs of transitioning to the staffed residential model.

In addition, 15% of event proceeds will be distributed to WSH's Community fund, which grants small, individual requests for help during the year.

If you are interested in supporting this event as a sponsor or donor, please contact us at info@womensharinghope.org