Waynesboro women send Handbags of Hope to Florence victims

Monday afternoon, some women in Waynesboro filled handbags to be sent to victims of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina.

Handbags of Hope is an organization through the Waynesboro Elks Lodge #2270 that fills handbags or totes with items for women and sends them out when there is a natural disaster or to victims of domestic abuse.

The handbags are specifically geared toward women, because Gigi Jones, the chairman of Handbags of Hope, said women are often the ones who make a lot of sacrifices to take care of everyone else in these situations.

"We seek to give them a little bit of respite and a little bit of knowing someone out there really cares for them," said Jones.

The 30 handbags filled on Monday will be sent to New Bern or Kinston in North Carolina. They are loaded with different essentials, treats, and a note of encouragement to make these women feel special in their time of need.

"You know that you're reaching out to do something to help them, and that's what Elks do. That is our motto, 'Elks care, Elks share' and that is the motto of our state," said Jones.

Handbags of Hope has given out approximately 800 bags. These bags stay within the Valley or go to different states and even countries in need. Recently, they sent 25 bags to female veterans who have been homeless and in the hospital at McGuires Hospital in Richmond.

Handbags of Hope is always looking for donations. Anyone interested in donating can call the Waynesboro Elks Lodge at 540-942-9108.

The list for items to go into a handbag is below:

(You can choose at least 12+ from the list but if you have something that you feel you should include, the Elks recommend you do so)

- A note of encouragement, whether in the form of a Bible verse, a poem, a saying that you have read somewhere, or your own words of hope

-hand creams

-hand sanitizer

-combs

-appointment book

-fingernail clippers

-ponytail bands

-facial cleanser

-bubble bath

-sunglasses

-costume jewelry

-mints

-small sewing kit

-compact

-small zippered pouch/ make up bag

-soaps

-feminine pads/ tampons

-brush

-emery boards

-fingernail polish

-hair clips

-shampoo

-hairspray

-mirror

-phone cards

-key ring

-lip gloss

-band-aids

-chap stick

-tissues

-hard candy

-small flashlight

-hairband

-pencil

-pen

-hand wipes

-wallet

-gum

-safety pins

-roll on perfume

-makeup