2025 Purse Project – Accepting Donations Through December 20
Cambridge resident Suzanne Smith is spearheading the 2025 Purse Project in the Cambridge-Midvale region. This holiday project benefits women and teens who are clients of Rose Advocates, an area non-profit that provides services to women that are impacted by domestic violence. Smith, who relocated to Cambridge from the Boise area several years ago, has been in charge of the Purse Project locally since last year.
“Last year my daughter, my niece, and my granddaughter helped,” she said. Even before moving to Cambridge, Smith always felt a “pull” to help by donating her time and resources to help the community.
“It was something in my heart,” she said.
The Purse Project collects purses and essential items, such as toiletries, hats, and gloves, to fill those purses. Non-essentials such as jewelry will provide Rose Advocates’ clients with something to make their holidays extra special.
“I try to get gently used purses,” said Smith. For women impacted by domestic violence, beautiful purses, filled with both beautiful things and essential items, provide an extra touch of holiday cheer.
The purses will help women who are served by Rose Advocates in the region. Last year, Smith was able to donate 57 purses from the local area. This year, Smith emphasized that she will accept donations from anywhere, including outside the immediate area.
“The more, the merrier,” she said.
Examples of Items accepted for the 2025 Purse Project include: gently used or new purses, small boxes of tissues, costume jewelry, gloves and hand warmers, hats, snack bars, small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, soaps, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, small notebooks, small water bottles, and disposable razors.
For more information, contact Suzanne Smith at (208) 870-9028. Items may be dropped off through December 20 at Windy Acres Design Shop in Cambridge or Midvale Country Store in Midvale.
