PLUMSTED – A group spearheaded by young adults who have forged a reputation for helping people has added another good deed to its list of accomplishments.
Plumsted Youth for Nature and the Environment (PYNE) announced that it recently collected about 400 used handbags and donated them to the Mercer County affiliate of Dress for Success.
PYNE President Dominic Esposito said the handbags were collected in Plumsted and neighboring municipalities during a drive that ran from early August to mid-October.
He said representatives of Dress for Success were grateful for the donation of the handbags, which he said were in excellent condition.
“PYNE typically repeats a drive if it is successful,” Esposito said. “We will likely have another Lend A Helping Handbag drive in a year or two.”
PYNE Secretary Rachel Mayer coordinated the handbag drive.
“This drive will benefit women in the area,” she said. “(Dress for Success) will give the handbags to women who are less fortunate and who are looking for jobs and are looking to make an impact economically and independently so they can support their family.
“No matter how many people receive a handbag that we donated, it feels good knowing we helped somebody make a positive impact on their life. It just takes a simple gesture to help somebody in need and feel good inside,” she said.
“The handbag drive gave people a chance to recycle a handbag that might otherwise have been thrown in the trash. (Reusing the handbags) will help lessen the burden on landfills,” Esposito said.
Dress for Success helps disadvantaged women gain economic independence and obtain employment. The organization provides its clients with business attire and prepares them to support their families.