The theme of the Ninth Annual Purse & Passion St. Clair County Luncheon was “A New Chapter” and the 425 guests gave generously to help domestic violence victims from St. Clair and Blount counties turn the page and begin new lives free from abuse.

The group raised over $105,420 at the Aug. 24 event, which was chaired by Blair and Cindy Goodgame and held at The Beacon at Pell City First United Methodist Church. All of the funds will be used to support Our Place, the YWCA Central Alabama’s emergency shelter in Pell City, and to provide supportive services to victims in St. Clair and Blount counties. Since Our Place opened in 2009, more than 7,000 victims have received legal assistance, court advocacy, shelter and support.

With the addition of Thursday’s total, more than half a million dollars has been raised over the past nine years to ensure domestic violence services are available in St. Clair County.

 “Studies show that one in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in her lifetime,” Blair Goodgame stated to the crowd, “Whether we realize it or not, each of us in this room knows someone who is suffering and most likely suffering in silence.”

Those in attendance also celebrated the life of Dr. Virginia “Jenny” Gauld, a former YWCA Board president who helped start the Purse & Passion St. Clair County Luncheon nine years ago to help women and children who are no longer safe at home.

“It is a great pleasure to honor Jenny Gauld,” Sandra Murray, YWCA Board of Directors said. “Jenny made such a difference in all of our lives. She was so committed to women, to children, to families. On March 14 we lost Jenny, and for those who knew her and loved her, our lives will never be the same. But they will never be the same because of the dedication, the determination, and the caring that she left us with.”

“Leaving a domestic violence situation takes more courage than most people could ever muster,” said Vernetta Bowman, rural domestic violence services coordinator for the YWCA. “I am so proud of the women who find the strength to seek help and begin rewriting their stories.” Bowman stated that many women arrive with only the clothes on their backs, having left everything behind including family pictures, their children’s toys, furniture, and even medication.

“For these ladies starting a new chapter truly means starting over from scratch,” Bowman said. 

Guests watched a video featuring a woman named Brittany who shared how she left everything behind in order to make a new life for her family. “I was referred to Our Place and it changed everything immediately,” she said. “I am so grateful, so humbled. They helped me through a very hard time in my life.”

Yolanda Sutherland, CEO of YWCA Central Alabama said, “This is truly a community effort. I am pleased to report that this year we have a record number of community partners, sponsoring Purse & Passion St. Clair and as we love to say. ‘Woohoo! ‘We could not do what we do without the help we receive from this community.”

Sutherland stated that the YWCA was grateful to the luncheon’s Steering Committee members and Table Captains, as well as the sponsors, including title sponsor Alabama Power and presenting sponsors Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, and Red Diamond. Supporter level sponsors were: Benjamin Moore & Co.; Chapel in the Pines; City of Pell City; The Daily Home and St. Clair Times; Pell City First United Methodist Church; Goodgame Company; Lakeside Landing; Landmark Credit Union; Logan Martin LakeFest, LLC; Metro Bank; and Publix Super Markets Charities.

Sponsors at the contributor level were: First Baptist Church South; Hill, Hill & Gossett, P.C.; Kilgroe Funeral Home, Inc.; Magnolia’s; Mays Bend Ladies Club; Precision Pipe & Products, Inc.; Rotary Club of Pell City; St. Vincent’s Health System; and USAmeriBank. Other generous sponsors were: BD Welch Construction, LLC; Butts To Go; City of Moody; Coosa Valley Equine Center; Douglas Manufacturing Co., Inc.; The Elmer B. and Glenda S. Harris Legacy Endowment Fund; Kell Realty; Lake Front Motel; Paul and Marie Manning; Nancysellsthelake.com; Rhodes Agency – Allstate; Smith Construction; St. Clair County Democrats; Town of Steele; Union State Bank; and Usrey Funeral Home.

On October 24, the YWCA will be hosting a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. at Chapel in the Pines in remembrance of domestic violence victims who have lost their lives. 

For more information contact the YWCA at 205-338-8808. If you are in a crisis situation and need help, call the YWCA Crisis Hotline at 205-322-4878 or 800- 650-6522.