May 23, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Taylor Knoop, Development & Community Relations Director
802.257.4011 x118
Handbags for HOPE Supports Windham’s Early Educators
BRATTLEBORO, VT – The power of the purse was strong at United Way of Windham County’s (UWWC) fifth annual Handbags for HOPE, held on May 10 in Brattleboro, VT. A record $17,000 was raised to support UWWC’s early education initiatives.
United Way of Windham County’s early education initiatives includes the Fund for Quality Education (FQEE). The FQEE was established in 2008 through a partnership with Winston Prouty (formerly Windham Child Care Association) to address the need for quality early education and to provide opportunities for Windham County providers to access continued education, collaborate with other providers, and to engage in the STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS), a Vermont quality rating on a variety of measures, from 0-5.
The Handbags for HOPE event featured a silent and live auction of over 100 unique items, with Jean Gilbert offering spirited commentary as auctioneer. The auction items also included unique experiences and fairy garden themed centerpieces. Auction items were donated by local stores and businesses, designers, artists, and community members.
The event was sponsored by Community Bank N.A., Stop & Go, Brattleboro Portable Storage, Derby Building & Woodworking, Building Bright Futures, Let’s Grow Kids, River Valley Credit Union, Over the River Day Spa. In-kind support was provided by Jean Gilbert, Hardy Foard Catering, Top Tier Baking Co., and The Vermont Country Deli, the Brattleboro Reformer, Kelly Fletcher Photography, The Richards Group, WKVT and WTSA.
The mission of the United Way of Windham County is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Working with volunteers, donors, service providers, businesses, and others, United Way is creating HOPE for Windham County by investing in health, opportunity, prosperity, and education initiatives. For more information or to donate to the Fund for Quality Early Education, visit www.unitedwaywindham.org.