State Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, is working with local agencies to host a “#LovePurse” donation drive for area women in need, according to a press release about the drive.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the drive aims to increase awareness and provide essentials to survivors in the 42nd Senate District, Holmes said.
“Women fleeing domestic violence, human trafficking or in need sometimes have left difficult circumstances with no belongings at all, perhaps including their purse and bare necessities,” Holmes said in the release. “Love Purse gives survivors the products and care they need, and our community can take part by helping these women recover with some essentials and encouragement.”
The “#LovePurse” movement collects new purses that are filled with personal care items, toiletries, menstrual products and notes of encouragement to distribute to women in need, the homeless and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, according to the release.
Holmes is asking members of the community to purchase a new purse and fill it with the requested products, and then take them to a drop-off location during October. Purses can be dropped off at Eola Community Center, 555 Eola Road, Aurora; Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora; Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill, Oswego; Oswego Police Department, 3355 Woolley Road, Oswego; St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles; and the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St. in Geneva.
The donated items will be distributed through agencies serving survivors in the district. More information about “#LovePurse,” as well as a full list of requested products, can be found at lovepurse.org.
