April 25th is a day to mark your calendars. It is the Circle of Hope’s 3rd Annual Bags & Bubbly Designer Purse Raffle at the North Georgia Technical Schools Industrial Technology Center. The evening revolves around a simple yet delightful concept: providing an opportunity for purse enthusiasts to win designer bags while enjoying a night of fun out with friends.
A night of chance
It is a night of chance – where lady luck is tested. Can you win a new designer purse, a vintage designer purse, or the grand prize of a Louis Vuitton purse? The excitement mounts as the evening goes along.
Individual tickets can be purchased or you can purchase a table for your business or friends. With your ticket purchases, there are raffle tickets included. You can also buy extra raffle tickets for more chances to win. Individual tickets include Italian dinner, drinks, and 2 designer purse raffle tickets. Individual tickets are $50.00. There are three table options: the Dooney & Bourke Duchesses Table for 8 ($800) which includes an Italian dinner, drinks, 5 designer purse raffle tickets, and 1 Louis Vuitton ticket for each guest. The Tory Burch Beauties Table for 8 ($1,000) which includes an Italian dinner, drinks, 15 designer purse raffle tickets, and 3 Louis Vuitton raffle tickets for each guest. The Louis Vuitton Ladies Table for 8 ($1,200) which includes an Italian dinner, drinks, 20 designer purse raffle tickets, and 5 Louis Vuitton raffle tickets for each guest.
Raffle tickets to win
John Krippner, the Emcee for the evening, fills the night with laughter and games to win even more raffle tickets for more opportunities to take home purses! During the evening, Krippner will pull names from various containers to win designated designer purses. Designer names such as Coach, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Longchamp, Marc Jacobs, Dooney and Burke, and Michael Kors.
Everyone who purchases a ticket to the event receives a raffle ticket for a designer bag. If a table is purchased, each person at the table receives a raffle ticket for the Louis Vuitton purse.
Games and entertainment
Krippner delights the audience as he removes ticket after ticket until the remaining ticket is the winner of the beautiful purse. “It is something people stay to hear who the winner is. Everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see who the last raffle ticket will be,” Suzanne Dow, Executive Director of the Circle of Hope, talked about the evening.
An Italian-themed dinner is served with drinks included. The silent auction keeps people visiting the various tables to make sure they are still in the game.
Dow said people are welcome to contribute to the event by donating vintage luxury designer purses for auction. All funds raised will support the programs directly benefiting those experiencing domestic violence.
The Circle of Hope receives several grants but the agency must still raise over $300,000 annually through fundraisers such as this one and local donations. This ensures the Circle of Hope can meet their budgetary needs for the agency.
Services provided
The Circle of Hope provides free and confidential services to those experiencing domestic violence. It serves Habersham, Stephens, and White Counties with 24-hour comprehensive support such as a crisis line, emergency shelter, legal advocacy (Temporary Protective Order, Court accompaniment, Victim’s compensation), escape and safety planning, individual counseling, supportive housing programs, personal advocacy, support groups, and educational classes.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, advocates are available 24/7 via phone at 706-778-4673, text at 706-768-1616, or online chat. If you have an interest in getting involved with the agency, please email at [email protected].
