By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Kristie Hanno found the perfect place to Christmas shop for the ladies in her life Monday.
It wasn’t a fancy boutique or department store. It was the third-floor break room of the Salisbury Post.
That’s where the first Helping Handbags sale is taking place.
“My husband read about the sale in the paper and we decided to try it out for our Christmas shopping because we have three teenage girls,” Hanno said. “We figured this would be a good place to get nice handbags.”
Hanno said the selection was “wonderful,” and at $5 a pop, she was able to scoop up multiple bags.
“We have handbags in every style, every color, every shape and some you haven’t even thought of,” said Sharon Jackson, the Post’s classified and creative services manager. “There is something here for everybody.”
Jackson said there are also plenty of children’s purses as well as women’s and men’s wallets for $1 apiece.
And not only are people walking away with like-new handbags, they are also contributing to a good cause.
All proceeds from the sale go to Christmas Happiness, a fund Post readers have supported since 1952 to help low-income families purchase Christmas gifts.
As a guardian ad litem in Rowan County, Hanno said she sees firsthand what Christmas Happiness means for families.
“It is a very, very good service,” she said. “There are so many people in need this year.”
Cindy McCulloh said that’s why she came out.
“It’s a great cause and a neat idea,” she said.
Jackson said she’s been surprised by the response to the sale.
“When we sent the call out for donations, the community just overwhelmed us with what they brought in,’ she said. “People brought in boxes and boxes of handbags, so we’ve been very blessed with a great selection.”
Debbie Black said she’s planning to spread the word about the sale to her friends.
“I’m going to tell them to come look, because there is really one for every person,” she said.
Black had planned to purchase an expensive purse, but that changed when she heard about the sale.
“I figured I would come here and get several bags,” she said. “Plus, it’s for a good cause, there are a lot of people hurting right now.”
Raffle tickets for a 13-inch Fossil tote, valued at $173, are being sold during the sale.
Tickets are three for $5 or an arm’s length for $10. The drawing will be held after the sale.
Helping Handbags will continue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jackson said the sale could be extended if the bulk of the bags aren’t sold by the end of the day.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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