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Photos by John Smithson Former North Myrtle Beach mayor Marilyn Hatley was the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14.

Annual event raises charity funds

A huge crowd was watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Main Street last Saturday.

The GFWC North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club will host its annual “Purses with Purpose” Charity Event on Thursday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Nautilus Ballroom at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes. The event is presented in collaboration with title sponsor Elliott Beach Rentals.

During the evening, local male models will showcase designer purses and handbags donated by prominent women, charities, celebrities and dignitaries in a very fun and entertaining live auction. The event also features a large silent auction with baskets, purses and gift certificates for dining, shopping, spa treatments, weekend getaways and vacations. The bling raffle offers guests an opportunity to win gorgeous jewelry pieces. The wine raffle ticket winner takes home a barrel of wine. One lucky winning bidder in the live auction will receive $500 cash hidden in one of the handbags.

Now in its 13th year, the popular fundraiser raised almost $100,000 last year and has contributed more than $700,000 to local organizations since its inception.

Funds raised support scholarships for North Myrtle Beach High School students and benefit local charities that serve women, children, veterans and others in need. A few of the organizations that received support last year included Veterans Welcome Home and Resource Center, Hope’s Kitchen, Sea Haven, Rape Crisis Center, North Strand Community Home, North Strand Helping Hand, North Myrtle Beach Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity Women Build. The club also maintains an ongoing Domestic Violence Initiative that supports victims.

Event chairperson Jeri McCumbee said the club is grateful for the continued support of local sponsors. “We are truly blessed to have sponsors who return every year to support this event,” she said. “Their generosity helps us direct more funding to our community charities.”

Additional top-tier sponsors include Jake’s Heating and Cooling, Touch Med Spa, Hamburger Joe’s, Mayor J. Baldwin, CENTURY 21 Thomas, Coastal Carolina National Bank, Carolina Trust, The Citizens Bank, Daughters of Elvis, Purpleologist and SeaGreen Lawn Care.

Tickets are $75 per person and include a buffet dinner, a signature beverage compliments of Touch Med Spa, live auction entertainmen, and access to the silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at Destination North Myrtle Beach, Hope Taylor and Company, Purpleologist, or online through Eventbrite (Girls Night Out for Charity – Purses with Purpose). Purchase early to guarantee availability of tickets.

If you or your business are interested in donating an item for the silent auction, you may call 843-450-4001 for more information. Donations are tax deductible and appreciated.

The North Myrtle Beach Woman’s Club, a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, currently has approximately 126 members dedicated to supporting charitable programs in the North Myrtle Beach community. For more information on the club, visit facebook.com/nmbwomansclub or northmyrtlebeachwomansclub.org.

The North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad took part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Saturday by riding down the parade route with multiple service vehicles.
Left to right are Jodi Young, Hadley Manning, Phyllis Rudolph and Deana Manning as they watch the North Myrtle Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14.
Pictured, left to right, are The Daughters of Elvis, Margie Dowling, Norma Jean Page and Pastor Christina Johnson, as they wait for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to begin.
Freedom Boat Club was the winner in the business category for parade floats.
Coastal Carolina cheerleaders made a special visit to North Myrtle Beach last Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Thomas Realty designed their St. Patrick’s Day parade float to look like the Wheel of Fortune game show.
North Myrtle Beach High School Band of Chiefs performed as they walked the parade route last Saturday.
Destination North Myrtle Beach members throw candy and St. Patrick’s Day goodies out to parade-goers.
American Legion Post 146 color guard travels down the parade route on Saturday, March 14.
Senator Greg Hembree took part in the St. Patrick’s Day fun by decorating his golf cart green and handing out goodies to the kids.
This is the City of North Myrtle Beach’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade float. The 15U Soccer All Stars State Champions and the 10U Girls Basketball Eastern District Champions helped hand out goodies with North Myrtle Beach City Council and staff.
Coastal Carolina Shields are playing their bag pipes and drums.
The color guard for the parade leads the parade route up Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.

About Polly Lowman