The Salisbury Post has begun collecting new and gently used handbags for its annual Helping Handbags sale, which benefits the Christmas Happiness Fund. The fund provides Rowan County families in need a way to purchase presents for their children.

The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts contributions. This year, the Salvation Army of Rowan County will distribute vouchers to eligible families.

For Helping Handbags, purses will be collected through November and the sale will take place the first week of December.

This year’s purse collections began early, said Post Classified Advertising Manager Sharon Jackson, because people began inquiring.

Organizers are collecting handbags, wallets, totes and coin purses. Jackson and her team volunteer to collect, sort and display the purses for the sale, which is in its third year.

She said it may be easier for people to donate who will be decluttering their closets in advance of the holidays. Those who would like to donate gently used or new purses can deliver them to the Salisbury Post and place them in barrels in the lobby. Receipts will be issued at the Classified Advertising counter. Jackson said the purses will be valued under Goodwill pricing structure.

Organizers ask that bags are in good condition and fit to be sold. If anyone has a new or gently used “high end” bag that could be raffled off, or is interested in sponsoring the event, contact Jackson at 704-797-4238.

This is the first year the Salvation Army of Rowan County will receive applications and distribute the vouchers. The Rowan County Department of Social Services for years issued the vouchers, but could not continue because of the increasing time it took from employees, who were volunteering.

“We knew the need was still going to be out there and it was going to be greater with the recent layoffs. With this great partnership, that’s just going to be more people than we’ve ever been able to help in the past,” said Salvation Army Lt. Josh Morse.

Volunteers will accept applications for Christmas Happiness and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program on Thursday Oct. 17, Friday Oct. 18, Thursday Oct. 24, and Friday Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd.

Morse said the Rowan County United Way is helping find volunteers to process applications. Morse said with all of the volunteers who will help receive applications, the wait time should be dramatically reduced.

For updates on the Helping Handbags purse sale, visit the Helping Handbags page via Facebook.

For more information about the Christmas Happiness application process, contact the Salvation Army of Rowan County at 704-636-6491.