Debut of 'Hope in a Handbag’ Fundraiser to Support Survivors of Human Trafficking
PITTSBURGH (February 3, 2025) – The Salvation Army is proud to launch a new fundraiser benefiting The Salvation Army’s LIGHT Project, Leading Individuals Gracefully out of Human Trafficking. The new Hope in a Handbag event will take place on Saturday, March 29 at Montour Heights Country Club. The luncheon will feature a silent auction with a variety of handbags, including new designer and vintage bags. Guests will have a chance to win designer names like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, all for a good cause!
Human trafficking is a global crisis that often goes unseen around the world and here at home in Pennsylvania. The LIGHT Project is dedicated to educating the public and providing vital support to survivors in Pittsburgh and The Salvation Army’s surrounding 28-county Western Pennsylvania service area.
On-air host Elista from 100.7 Star Pittsburgh will serve as the emcee of this inaugural fundraiser. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with lunch beginning at Noon. Visit salvationarmywpa.org/handbag to purchase tickets. A special thank you to our Designer Label Sponsor Miller McCurry, along with our VIP Table Sponsors CentiMark, Argent Bridge Advisors, Consol, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, and Tucker Arensberg. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit salvationarmywpa.org/handbag for more information. Individual donors wishing to provide the gift of hope through a handbag can click on this wish list to choose a purse to donate or to contribute a gift card.
“We are excited for the opportunity to raise awareness and support through this new fundraiser,” Tabitha Ceryak, Director of The Salvation Army’s LIGHT Project, said. “Hope in a Handbag would not be possible without the members of our dedicated event committee. We are grateful for the support, and we look forward to making Hope in a Handbag an annual tradition.”
The Global Estimates of Modern Slavery report by the United Nations International Labor Organization, Walk Free and the International Organization for Migration estimates 50 million people are enslaved across the world today. Locally, the LIGHT Project serves all genders and helps survivors of both labor and sex trafficking residing within Western Pennsylvania. Since its inception in 2018, The Salvation Army’s LIGHT Project has served 230 survivors. Last year the LIGHT Project served 124 survivors – 91 survivors who escaped sex trafficking and 33 survivors of labor trafficking.
The Salvation Army has historically been on the frontlines fighting human trafficking since the time of founders William and Catherine Booth in London, England – who advocated to raise the legal age of consent and the minimum age to work in factories. The Salvation Army has 40 anti-trafficking programs across the nation, including the LIGHT Project in Western Pennsylvania. For immediate support, call the 24/7 national human trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text “befree” (233733) to get connected across the United States.
Celebrating over 150 years of global service as both a church and a social service organization, The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 134 countries worldwide. The 28-county Western Pennsylvania Division serves thousands of needy families through a wide variety of support services. To learn more about The Salvation Army in Western Pennsylvania, visit salvationarmywpa.org. The Salvation Army … doing the most good for the most people in the most need.