Every table that Missouri Military Academy had to offer was filled quickly Thursday night.

The United Way of Audrain County hosted its fourth annual Power of the Purse fundraiser Thursday evening at the MMA gymtorium. More than 50 new purses and bags, each filled with goodies, were donated by local businesses and community members. The silent auction items alone spanned the entire back wall.

Power of the Purse is United Way’s only event of the year, and Executive Director Samantha Wilson said it serves as a good kickoff for United Way’s fall campaign, which will begin in October.

“It kind of gets us that adrenaline rush to get us to that starting point,” she said. 

The items up for auction at Power of the Purse appeal to a wide range of people, not just women.

“It’s everything from the super sleek, nice bags that you wear when you’re all dressed up to cooler bags and backpacks and weekender bags,” Wilson said. “We have an option for everybody.”

Mackenzie Smith, president of the United Way of Audrain County, was inspired by United Way’s Franklin County chapter to bring the Power of the Purse to Mexico four years ago. The fundraiser’s success keeps it coming back year after year. 

“We’ve got a great group of board members,” Wilson said. “Everyone pitches in and everybody has a strength. They do what they are strongest at and bring the event together.” 

After four years, the United Way of Audrain County has its Power of the Purse event down to a science, but that doesn’t stop them from trying something new every once in a while. This year’s silent auction featured gently used purses as a new addition, which Wilson was excited to see.

“We’d love for it to grow and get bigger and raise more funds so we can help out more people in the community,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with, to celebrate with and to raise funds with.”

All of the money raised from Power of the Purse will support the nine agencies that the United Way of Audrain County provides funding to. 

“It’s from one end of the spectrum to the other for the things that we’re able to provide to them so that they can spread it throughout the community,” Wilson said. 

The United Way of Audrain County supports A+ for Mexico’s Education, the Agape House of Vandalia, Audrain County Crisis Intervention Services, Uplift Mid-MO, Central Missouri Community Action – Audrain Family Resource Center, Children’s Therapy and Early Education Center, The Laura Miller George Help Center, Mexico Activity and Nutrition Center, and the St. Joseph Early Learning Center.

After Power of the Purse, Wilson said United Way of Audrain County board members seek donations from local businesses and community members, some of whom will have money taken out of their checks on a monthly basis to donate to the organization. 

“This community is the best, obviously,” Wilson said. “They do such a great job of coming together. We love that so many people are willing to come out and help and I can’t thank people enough, honestly.”