T

he 9th annual Purses with a Purpose event returned to Grand 
Boulevard at Sandestin on March 28, where hundreds of new and 
gently used handbags and accessories were on display for sale for a 
very good cause. Purses with a Purpose, which has become a must-

attend annual shopping experience for ladies across the Emerald Coast, has raised 
over $ 100,000 since its inception, with proceeds benefiting Shelter House’s 
critical services for domestic and sexual violence survivors. 

Event-goers had the opportunity to shop handbags by designers including 

Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach and more; they also enjoyed light 
bites from Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and Everkrisp, along with wine, craft cocktails 
by Timber Creek Distillery and cold brews by Grayton Beer Company. B-Boy 
Productions provided entertainment for the evening while Epic Photo Co 
captured the evening in a fun photo booth. Five local ladies- Mara Clark, Jen 
Deeb, Katie Fuentes, Cali Hlavac, Jennifer Kraus and Michelle Minton- were 
named as this year’s “SpokesPursens” who promote the event and encourage their 
friends and families to donate to their online fundraising page. Ms. Bethany Pope 
was the lucky winner of the night, winning a brand new Dodge Challenger. 

photos & story by

Zhalman Harris

   VIP Destin at Grand Boulevard

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May 2019   |   29 

Samantha Gusoff & Sara Peavy

Kristin Tugmon & Mary Weighknecht

Renee Launiere, Penny Worley, Ana Simpson & Mara Clark

Mae & Maryann Maula

Tami Spear & Valerie Edwards

Cali Hlavac & Erin Igram

Rosalyn Wik & Vicki Camp

29-30 Event_PurseswithPurpose_May19.indd   1

4/25/19   9:55 AM