Her Mind Magazine is pleased to announce its most successful Power of the Purse (POTP) event yet. Held at Sub-Zero and Wolf by Fretz Showroom on June 8, the fourth annual POTP raised more than $18,000 for Blossoms of Hope to support the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County General Hospital.

The 350 guests browsed among 1,700 gently used and vintage purses displayed throughout the opulent kitchen display areas and available for cash and carry. At the same time, guests bid on 70 new and designer handbags – including new purses by Kate Spade, Coach and Danielle Nicole – filled with such treats as certificates to spas and restaurants, and luxury accessories – as part of the Silent Auction.

Her Mind Magazine and Blossoms of Hope want to thank all who contributed to this event. Danielle DiFerdinando, founder of Danielle Nicole, a New York-based handbag company, was the guest speaker. Danielle, who grew up in Howard County, created Danielle Nicole at the age of 18 while a student at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

Brenda von Rautenkranz, owner of Fit For Life Personal Training and the Fit To Be Fabulous video and television series, served as m.c. with her inimitable grace and humor. We can always count on Brenda to warm up the crowd.

Kudos to chairs Michelle Wildman and co-chair Pam Moss for pulling off this year’s event. Michelle is the owner of the 15-year-old MW Events, which coordinates galas, parties and social events throughout Howard County. Pam is community relations and project manager for Custom Media Options, publishers of Her Mind magazine. Each year Power of the Purse is bigger and better, and we look forward to 2016!

Thanks to this year’s sponsors—Horseshoe Casino for its generous financial contribution, and Iron Bridge Wine Company for consistently providing fine wines for our guests; Sub-Zero and Wolf by Fretz showroom has been a magical venue since the event started; Sir Speedy-BWI/Columbia provided printing services; and Pam Long Photography returned as the official event photographer. (Pam’s beautiful photos are included in this post); Chuy’s provided a fantastic Mexican buffet as a tantalizing preview of its move to Howard County in 2016.

Dana O’Sullivan of DellaBlooms & Gifts provided the flowers and the props for the purse displays, and Carol Weil, aka The Decorating Therapist, artfully staged the purses throughout the showroom.

Thanks to The Business Monthly and to the Business Women’s Network of Howard County for helping us promote the 2015 Power of the Purse, and thanks also to The Wendy Slaughter Team-REMAX 100, for donating the customized purple Power of the Purse shopping bags.

Ruth Toomey, sales manager at An Extraordinar Limousine, deserves a special shout-out for her last-minute contribution of transportation to and from the satellite parking lot.

In addition to all the contributors and volunteers, the success of 2015 Power of the Purse is largely due to the community. Without our many friends – who scour their closets for handbags to donate, and who show up to buy and bid – the event just wouldn’t be as festive and fun. Nor would it raise such generous funds for the important work of Blossoms of Hope and the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County Hospital. Thank you again for making this year’s Power of the Purse bigger and better. See you in 2016!

See complete list of 2015 POTP contributors and volunteers

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Door Prizes:

• Anjela Haynes won the Purple KATE SPADE satchel
• Dana Echols won the DANIELLE NICOLE handbag

Raffle Prizes:

• Ruth Goldberg won the Wolf Gourmet High Performance Blender donated by SUB-ZERO and WOLF by Fretz
• Donna Smith won the Madison Sophia Brown leather COACH satchel