ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Ask any woman and most would agree they’d be lost without their purse.
From makeup, hand cream and nail clippers to a hair brush, gum, deodorant, tissues and feminine sanitary products, purses hold many essential items, which is why a local group is making sure purses containing such items get in the hands of women who need them.
Princess and the Purse is a not-for-profit initiative in which previously loved purses are donated, filled with necessities and distributed to various organizations that help women throughout the province.
“There are things in our purses we don’t even think about or realize they’re things women would love to have,” said Kelly Carew, who leads the program in this province and works with a small group of volunteers.
“This (initiative) is really a labour of love. The love, care and consideration put into these purses is just amazing.
“For the women who receive these purses, it really brightens their day.”
The Princess and the Purse campaign originated in Moncton, N.B., where Lorraine Cormier came up with the idea to give back after spending years living in poverty.
As a friend of Cormier’s, Renee Druggett of St. John’s brought the program to this province in 2016. Carew, a close friend of Druggett’s, took over in late 2018.
Druggett said she’s grateful Carew has carried on with the campaign.
“I’m elated, heartfelt, proud, thankful,” she said via Facebook messaging. “I knew immediately when Kelly offered (to take it over) that it couldn’t be in better hands.”
Carew admitted she has big shoes to fill and a big job ahead of her.
“Let me be honest, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into,” Carew said, laughing. “It was a lot of work, but to see first-hand the looks on these women’s faces and seeing how grateful they are when they get a purse, it’s a pretty fantastic feeling.
“And when I see the outpouring of support, it made me realize this is what it’s all about, helping others.”
Carew, a single mother, said women often put others first and rarely think of themselves, and the purses are “a nice pick-me-up” for them.
“It brings out just that little spark, especially when they’re not expecting it,” she said.
With the help of volunteers, along with Bob LeDrew and Sons moving service, Carew said, the purses have been handed out at various places that help women, including the Waterford Hospital, Irish Kirby House, Chanel, the Newfoundland and Labrador Homelessness Network, the Tom Sexton Centre, the Wiseman Centre and Choices for Youth.
Princess and the Purse in this province has been an event held at Christmas — a time of year when mothers especially struggle financially, emotionally and mentally to make ends meet, Carew said. Since, its inception, more than 5,000 purses — including 1,600 this past holiday season — have been distributed.
However, Carew hopes this year the purses can be distributed at other times of the year, including Mother’s Day and Easter.
She said she would like women, when cleaning out their closets, to think about donating unused purses. Donations of items to go inside the purses are welcomed as well.
— Princess and the Purse - NL (@princesspurseNL) December 22, 2019
Two places have been designated as dropoff locations for the purses and items — Spa at the Monestary on Patrick Street and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra offices on the third floor of the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, the same building where Carew works.
There are also volunteers in other parts of the province who help collect purses and items in their communities, including Gander, Corner Brook, Burlington, Clarenville and two locations on the Burin Peninsula.
Jeannie Piercey, co-ordinator at Choices for Youth, was one of the first to get involved with the Princess and the Purse campaign with Druggett, she and continues to do so.
“The mothers really appreciate it and look forward to it every year,” Choices for Youth program facilitator Raven Okanee said.
“Sometimes moms don’t get presents. So, it’s nice to get practical things which they use.”
Piercey said many mothers at their organization benefit from the purses.
“The purses are all individualized, which is really nice,” Piercey said.
“It’s not just a gift for them. It’s something someone took time to do, purposely, and that has a lot of meaning.”
Twitter: @TelyRosie