By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
At the intersection of Bag Lady Boulevard and Jazzy Jewelry Lane, a rumble was going down. But a few cases of sibling rivalry and bidding wars weren’t enough to stem the flow of goodwill that came from Thursday night’s Power of the Purse, an annual event hosted by the Crawford County Chapters of the American Red Cross.
“We you do one of these events, it’s not just one or two people, so I had a lot of help from a lot of people, my board members, all the people who donated, the sponsors, that kind of thing,” said Nancy McMurray, who serves as the local Red Cross’ Executive Director. “When you get that kind of support, it’s pretty easy. We’re very pleased.”
The Youth Building at the Crawford County fairgrounds was packed with over 100 women who came out in support of the American Red Cross. McMurray said they had to find extra donations when additional people signed up late. Of course, that wasn’t a problem she minded dealing with.
Kay Smith was one of those women who showed up in support of the American Red Cross as well as the woman who started a little sibling rivalry when she bid against her sister. Though Smith went away with a new purse, she also won a pair of Cleveland Indians tickets in the silent auction, which she plans in giving to her son and husband for Easter weekend.
“It’s awesome. It’s an awesome organization that gives back to our society and it’s a very needed organization,” Smith said about the American Red Cross. “This money is well used and I totally believe in this organization.
“For 110 women to come together to have a good time, support an organization that does so well so much in our community, and to have their money but yet they walk away with something is awesome.”
Connie Besenti also entered into a high-stakes bidding war when she won a purse for well over $100.
“It’s fun and it goes for a good cause, that’s the reason I do it,” said Besenti.
Funds raised during the Power of the Purse event help the support blood mobiles the Red Cross hosts every month, aid in providing relief to local people after disasters, the health and safety classes, and provide service to local military members. All of the money raised will stay in Crawford County.