Frankfort Nonprofit Launches Toiletries, Purse Drive For Women Veteran

FRANKFORT, IL — The Frankfort community is invited to drop off new purses and toiletries for a donation drive for 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans, a nonprofit that supports women veterans, according to a release from the organization.

Yvette Jones-Swanson, a U.S. Army veteran and former Vice-Chairman of the Veteran’s Commission for the Village of Park Forest, has launched the fundraiser through her nonprofit.

A donation box is located at 140 Oak St., in Frankfort.

Also, the nonprofit will host “Pretty with a Purpose: 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans” official 10th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser and local business pop-up from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14.

The nonprofit said that funds raised go directly to programming that honors, celebrates, and supports women Veterans across the country. Community representatives from IHDA, VA Women's Health, and other veteran-supporting organizations will be there to provide on-site assistance and information. Small business vendor tables are available for purchase for existing business owners.

Jones-Swanson, who has housed over 5,000 veterans in her career as a realtor, founded the nonprofit after her own experience of homelessness, the nonprofit said in a release.

100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans honors women who have served and now thrive as homeowners and community leaders.

“The 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans gala serves as a celebration for all female veterans—past, present, and future—to come together, enjoy good food, network, laugh, and feel special,” Jones-Swanson said in a release.

“We, as women, we don’t ask for help. That is a conversation we are beginning to have now. But we have to keep advocating for ourselves and letting other female veterans know that there is help,” Jones-Swanson said, as she reflects on data that shows only 46 percent of women veterans are signed up for the low or no-cost healthcare they earned and are entitled to.