Indulge Your “Purse Addiction” and Help a Great Cause: Saxon’s Diamond Centers Presents Hope in Handbags, September 12-13, 2014

From Friday, September 12 through Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the Bel Air Armory (37 N. Main St., Bel Air, Md. 21014), Harford County “purseaholics” will have the chance to purchase new and gently-used designer handbags at a fraction of their retail cost through Saxon’s Diamond Centers Presents the 6th Annual Hope in Handbags. Proceeds from the annual event will once again benefit Harford Family House, a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting homeless families with children in Harford County, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Visit www.HopeInHandbags.com for more information.

The event kicks off Friday, September 12, with an exclusive preview event starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Bel Air Armory. For a donation of $10, attendees get the first chance to shop for designer handbags, door prizes and more. On Saturday, September 13, doors at the Armory will be open on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

“Purseaholics” can peruse more than 1,000 donated handbags, including popular brands such as Coach and Vera Bradley, purses donated by local celebrities and purses donated by sponsors and stuffed with goodies, available via silent auction. Last year’s event raised $20,500 and featured more than 1,000 donated handbags--some valued at up to $1,000 each--which were priced from $5 and up. All silent auction items also have a “Buy It Now” price, too, in case attendees see a purse they cannot live without.

Finally, raffle tickets will be available both days of the event for a Michele watch donated by Saxon’s Diamond Centers in Aberdeen and a beautiful designer purse from XO By Saxon’s.

According to Harford Family House executive director Joyce Duffy, Hope in Handbags is currently actively seeking purse donations as well as local businesses to sponsor this year’s event. In addition to the title sponsor Saxon’s Diamond Centers, event sponsors currently include Harford Financial Group, Jones Junction, Harford’s Heart, Chesapeake Employers Insurance, Harford Community College, Animal Emergency Hospital and Snee, Mahoney, Lutche & Helmlinger, PA.

New or gently used purses can be dropped off at any of the following collection points: Rapid Refill, XO by Saxon’s, Freedom Federal Credit Union, Arena Club, Exit Realty, Christopher J. Salon, Merle Norman, Wonder Toys, Puppy Fashion, Walter & Betty Ward Family Center Y in Abingdon, Coldwell Banker, Harford Financial Group, Autumn Assisted Living and Harford County Association of Realtors.

“Harford Family House is excited to celebrate its 25th anniversary year with the best Hope in Handbags event ever!” says Duffy. “We have some really special purses and prizes this year, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and many members of our community. We hope everyone will come out to participate in this fun event—and help a family in need at the same time.”