100 Pretty Purses Wraps Up The Year With Fundraiser

FRANKFORT, IL — Local nonprofit, 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans, is set to close out the year with an end-of-year fundraiser and celebration at the Frankfort Park District, 140 Oak St.

This final event brings a transformative year to a close for the organization, which has expanded its impact by adding new team members and hosting its first mid-year pop-up event in September, according to the nonprofit.

The local branch of 100 Pretty Purses is part of a nationwide initiative which has distributed more than 70,000 purses to women veterans, the nonprofit said. The purses are filled with toiletries, resources, and support tailored to help women veterans overcome the unique challenges they face.

The year-end fundraiser and celebration will be held Dec. 14 at the Frankfort Park District. Registration for the event is closed, but the nonprofit said it is still accepting monetary donations and in-kind contributions.

"This year’s final event promises to dazzle the sold-out group of women veterans who have registered to attend," the nonprofit said. "The evening will celebrate their service and resilience while continuing the organization’s mission of uplifting those who’ve given so much."

100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans was founded by U.S. Army veteran Yvette Jones-Swanson, whose own journey from homelessness to real estate broker inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others. Over the past 20 years, she has housed more than 5,000 veterans, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

“Women veterans face unique struggles, but they also possess unparalleled resilience,” Yvette said in a release. “This event isn’t just a celebration — it’s a testament to what happens when communities come together to support our heroes.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit the 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans website or contact Gabrielle Pickens at gabrielle@pickenscreative.com.