COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – It was a packed house at the Dearth Center Friday night for the annual Branch County United Way Power of the Purse.
The popular event for women had both a luncheon and a dinner. Tickets for dinner were sold out about a week before the event.
Two local women were honored by the organizing committee for their contributions to the community. Amy Short, who along with her husband Ted have bought and revitalized several local businesses including Short’s Root Beer Stand and Short’s on the Water, was named the Woman of the Year in Business. She was honored for the Short’s donations to numerous schools and charities in Branch County.
Tommy Olmstead was honored as the Woman of the Year in Service to the Community. Olmstead has been actively engaged in her Faith Community at First Baptist Church in so many capacities over the years that the committee said they struggled to assemble a complete list. Most recently, she created “Tommy’s Place” which is a transitional home on North Clay Street in Coldwater for female drug and alcohol offenders who have just been released from jail.
Numerous local businesses donated over 30 purses for the raffles, with each purse containing items valued at over $150.
The proceeds from Power of the Purse go to the Branch County United Way’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides early literacy services for over 800 children.
