‘Power of a Purse’ campaign kicks off at annual Woodbury Girls Night Out event

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Have a purse you never wear?

Organizers of a popular event have an idea: donate it for a good cause.

This year’s Girls Night Out in Woodbury is not only about having fun with girlfriends, scoring some good deals and winning prizes, it’s also about helping women in need.

The event will be held Thursday, April 26, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Woodbury Lakes.

Laurie Mordorski, marketing director for the outdoor mall, said the team looks for a different organization to partner with each year since starting in 2010.

They picked “Mothers & More Twin Cities East” to donate purses that will be used as admission to the event.

“We felt it was a great fit for the event,” she said. “What lady doesn’t have a few extra purses in her closet that she’d love to donate to help other women in need?”

The nonprofit organization has launched a campaign titled “Power of a Purse” that will be held through May 13.

All handbags donated during Power of a Purse will go to Twin Cities women receiving support services through the Tubman organzation, according to Mothers and More.

Tubman provides safe shelter, legal services and counseling. The organization also helps those rebuilding their lives after fleeing domestic violence.

“A lot of times when women leave domestic violence situations they leave with their kids and the clothes on their back,” Mordorski said. “We felt that it was an important cause to get behind and it fit well with women’s shopping night.”

Purses symbolize struggling women’s paths toward financial stability, according to the Mothers and More website.

Girls Night Out kicks off at the former Starbucks location in the main courtyard of the mall, where registration will take place.

Women don’t need a ticket to get a wristband and discounts at the various shops. All they have to do is donate a new or gently used purse, Mordorski said.

The first 300 ladies to donate will get a free swag bag valued at $50.

Dez from KS95 will be there from 4 to 6 p.m. to do giveaways, and a photo booth will be on site for free pictures of the girls.

An event guide stamp system is new this year and will give shoppers an opportunity to enter a prize drawing.

By getting five stamps, they’re registered to enter a drawing for diamond and sapphire pendants, Coach sunglasses, store gift cards, Aveda gift sets and more, Mordorski said.

The winners will be notified the next day after the drawing takes place.

“The weather is supposed to be 70 or 80, which is great,” she said. “It’s for a good cause and there will be lots of fun discounts.”

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