For Beaufort County United Way, the “Power of the Purse” is a phrase to be taken literally. This Friday, the nonprofit will auction off nearly 50 donated handbags during its signature fundraising event of the year, with the proceeds making a powerful impact in Beaufort County.

The 2019 Power of the Purse fundraiser will return to the Washington Civic Center on Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and tickets are still available until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“It brings in funds for our 17 community partners,” said Beaufort County United Way Director Sally Love. “Last year, all the profits went to Hurricane Florence. This year, the profits are going to the partners of the United Way.”

Alongside 25 brand-name designer purses, the live auction will also feature a ride in a biplane, a week at the beach, personal trainer sessions and other prizes for guests to bid on. A silent auction during the event will feature 22 gently used purses donated by local ladies. A raffle will round out the evening’s festivities.

“People are generous, and they know that it’s going to a good cause,” Love said.

Last year, the fundraiser raised money to assist with relief efforts from Hurricane Florence. This year, community partners that benefit from the event include 17 local nonprofits, each of which falls into one of three categories, including education, health and family stability.

“They deal with ages from preschool all the way up to senior citizens and everything in between,” Love said. “They’re all health and human services nonprofits here in Beaufort County, so the money stays here.”

Those who give to the United Way on Friday will be helping the missions of those nonprofits. They include IBX STEM Center, Beaufort-Hyde Partnership for Children, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club, Literacy Volunteers of Beaufort County, Pamlico Pals, Bread of Life Food Pantry, Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry, Food Bank of the Albemarle, the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center, American Red Cross, ARC of Beaufort County, Open Door Community Center, REAL Crisis Intervention, Ruth’s House, The Salvation Army and Zion Shelter and Kitchen.

For more information about Power of the Purse and to purchase tickets, visit www.unitedwaybc.net/power-of-the-purse. Tickets for the event are $50 per person, $90 for two, or $360 for a table of eight. For more information on the community partners the event supports, visit www.unitedwaybc.net/community-partners.