Santa Rosa Junior College purse sale benefits students

Some women can’t have too many purses. And college students can’t get too much help covering the costs of higher education.

So the inspiration for an unusual and delightful social gathering Thursday evening at Santa Rosa Junior College is quite obvious.

The Power of the Purse was a wine and appetizer reception that offered guests a gorgeous array of purses for sale by silent auction.

Attractively displayed on the periphery of the gathering space within the JC’s Lawrence A. Bertolini Student Center were about 130 purses. Some were brand new, donated by merchants, and some were vintage and contributed by women willing to part with them for the greater good.

The hosting SRJC’s Women in Philanthropy will use proceeds of the purse sales to assist students through scholarships and paid internships.

Guests on Thursday heard from Judy Coffey, a regional Kaiser Permanente executive who shared thoughts on the twin blessings of philanthropy and education.

There were a good many wine glasses in the room and helpers that included both SRJC President Frank Chong and his predecessor, Robert Agrella, did what they could to keep them from going dry.