Sip & Swap to benefit Tri-County Council's Lily's House 

Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Lily's House Executive Director Shellie Holmes is pictured with the new Coach handbag that is the grand prize at the organization's Sip & Swap fundraiser Jan. 19.

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

Shellie Holmes is hoping to turn an obsession into a money-maker for a good cause. Holmes, the executive director of Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Lily's House, said she and a friend realized that the purse obsession they share is the same “purse craziness” that a lot of people feel. Brainstorming led to, “Why can’t we just have this purse fundraiser where people can come and trade purses?”

And thus was born Sip & Swap, to be held Jan. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at CT’s Deli, downtown Rhinelander.

The idea is to bring a purse that you are no longer using, see what someone else has and ask to trade. Negotiations may ensue, and there will be an official mediator to help the process along.

“The condition of the purse needs to be in excellent condition if you want somebody to want it and trade it,” Holmes explained. “The inside needs to be cleaned and the outside if needed. The purse can be leather or not leather, nylon, canvas or even a tote bag.”

Only 50 tickets for the event, which are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, will be sold. Once inside, tickets for basket raffles may be purchased for $1 each or 25 tickets for $20. A separate raffle, at $20 per ticket, includes a numbered wine glass and a chance to win the grand prize, a new Coach purse. There will be music by Scott Kirby, and hot and cold hors de oeuvres.

The cleaned purses in excellent condition can be stuffed with paper for display and trading, or they can be stuffed with any items that may add value to the trading stock.

For more information, call Tri-County Council, 715-362-6841.