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Every Woman's Place's Seaway Drive billboard and "Power of the Purse - Changing Purses, Changing Lives" fundraiser poster features an image of local leaders who support efforts to end domestic violence and sexual assault. Picture from left to right are: Josh Silvis of Shoreline Insurance, Enforcement Officer Jason Walker with Muskegon County Friend of the Court, Webb Chemical CEO Brad Hilleary, President of Operations Matt Schmitt with the Muskegon Risers, Shoreline Sport & Spine Owner Marty Sytsema, Fire Marshal Major Metcalf, Prosecutor D.J. Hilson, Judge Michael J. Nolan, Owner of RiversEdge Photography Troy Wells, former Muskegon Fury hockey player Robin Bouchard, Capt. Mike Poulin with the Muskegon County Sheriff's Department, Community Shores Bank Vice President Jon Huizenga, and Senior Vice President Randall Norden of the Norden/Adamczak Investment Group of Raymond James.

(Courtesy Photo | Every Woman's Place)

MUSKEGON, MI — Buoyed by a billboard near Summit Avenue, an image of 13 men holding purses and tote bags has likely gained the attention of motorists headed northbound on Seaway Drive.

For several weeks this fall, the photograph has circulated on social media and in local businesses and agencies.

Every Woman's Place and Webster Youth House Services, creator of the image, has used the picture to promote its inaugural, domestic violence-focused fundraiser, "Power of the Purse - Changing Purses Changes Lives."

The after-hours event took place on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Lake House Waterfront Grille in downtown Muskegon. Tickets for the affair sold out quickly, days before the month of October arrived.

"It's part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it ties in really well with the fundraiser. The picture shows that men are not afraid to stand up and hold purses in support of the cause," said Lori Rasmussen, executive director at Every Woman's Place. "These men are leaders in our community. They all have an interest in the cause."

Some of the men shown include Muskegon Fire Department Marshal Major Metcalf; Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson; Muskegon County Friend of the Court Enforcement Officer Jason Walker and retired Muskegon County 60th District Judge Michael J. Nolan.

"We have the judge, the prosecutor. That's sending a pretty strong message," Rasmussen said.

Amanda Robertson, director of development at Every Woman's Place, said the photograph also affirms the fact that domestic and sexual violence are not just women's issues.

"These men are lending their voice to the fact that these are men's issues as well," Robertson said.

As Muskegon's only domestic violence shelter, Every Woman's Place faces a number of costly expenditures to take care of its clients. The agency maintains a safe house, a 24-hour crisis hotline, a sexual assault response team and counseling, children's and legal advocacy services.

All of Every Woman's Place's services are free so the Power of the Purse fundraiser is especially needed to help the organization with operations.

Robertson said the hotline experienced a spike in calls in September, following the release of video footage showing suspended NFL football player Ray Rice violently attacking his then-fiancée Janay Palmer. About 1,500 county residents were survivors of domestic or sexual violence in 2013 alone, she said.

The Power of the Purse occasion included a cash bar, appetizers, a general sale and silent and live auctions of new and used handbags with different price points. Some of the high-end designer items included creations by Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Tory Burch. The agency also sold jewelry and items for men, such as wallets and briefcases.

The fundraiser

A donation by former special education teacher and local philanthropist Merle Scolnik sparked the fundraiser idea several months ago.

Scolnik, who amassed many purses from years of out-of-town excursions and shopping trips to Younkers and T.J. Maxx, decided to reduce the size of her collection by donating dozens of unwanted purses to Every Woman's Place.

"I like to match my outfits," Scolnik said. "I've had a lot of years of buying purses."

Robertson said Scolnik's gift sparked an interesting discussion about how the every day function of purses is strongly connected to the clients Every Woman's Place serves daily.

"Sometimes, women don't even have the opportunity to bring their purse when they come to our shelter, and other women, that's the only thing they have with them," Robertson said.

Scolnik said during her teaching years she's encountered several mothers who needed help and who may have been survivors of domestic abuse.

"I worked with quite of few women that had problems and it's very difficult because the whole family is involved," Scolnik said.

Rasmussen said local event co-chairs began organizing the Power of the Purse affair this summer. Organizers called on relatives, friends and local businesses and agencies like Raymond James, the United Way of the Lakeshore and the Muskegon Yoga studio for purse donations and sponsorships.

Rasmussen said even some celebrities and popular fashion and style bloggers donated bags and accessories to the cause. Liz Schneider of the popular Sequins and Stripes blog, for example, donated a Tory Burch clutch for the auction. The designer's items retail for about $175 to $1,000.

The fundraiser is just one of several activities the nonprofit organization has organized this month.

Every Woman's Place has collaborated with local schools, engaging students in art projects that relate to domestic violence.

The organization also led its annual honor walk and rally during the first week of October, featuring a display of its Clothesline Project. The effort pays homage to domestic violence survivors by customizing T-shirts that bear witness to individual cases of assault.

The agency has also led free Clothesline Project workshops, the last of which will take place from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at its Webster House location, 1221 W. Laketon Ave.