Shopping made a positive difference, as 247 women and one brave man turned a purse-centric fundraiser at the Woodlands Club in Falmouth into just shy of $53,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Maine.

“It’s about pocketbooks, wine and drinking in the middle of the day,” said comedian Karen Morgan, who has volunteered to host Purses with a Purpose all 11 years. “And as a parent, seeing what these people do for kids and families is dear to my heart.”

RMHC Executive Director Robin Chibroski was thrilled that the event sold out. “When you look around, think of how everybody coming to this event is supporting the children and families we serve,” Chibroski said. “Last year, 84 percent of our families couldn’t afford the $10 a night. What we’re doing here today helps people throughout the year.”

There are two Ronald McDonald Houses in Maine – in Bangor and Portland – as well as a family room at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. Together, the houses welcomed 643 children and their families in 2015, with a total of almost 7,700 overnight stays, and the family room provided a respite for 1,400 families just steps from children’s hospital rooms.

“If you’ve got somebody who’s sick and you’re from out of town, it’s a wonderful thing,” said Mary-Jane Preble of Falmouth.

“I love the satisfaction of seeing the families feeling comfortable as though it’s their own home and knowing they can stay as long as they need to,” said volunteer Meg Wilson.

“I love Ronald McDonald House,” said Judy Labbe of Brunswick. “It has a special place in my heart because I had to use it at one point.”

Each Ronald McDonald House across the country is a collaborative effort among a hospital, a generous community and McDonald’s owner-operators like Edie Lydick, a founding board member of the house in Portland.

“It’s a three-legged stool,” Lydick said.

“And you can’t do it unless you have great legs,” joked Meredith Strang-Burgess, who helped found both the Bangor and Portland houses as a community representative.

Ladies at the luncheon bid on a diverse selection of purses, accessories and gifts on the terrace, then made their way to the ballroom, where a live auction raised $4,750 in a matter of minutes.

“It’s a great way to spend a few hours with some wonderful women,” said Catherine Desrochers, sitting with her co-workers from Systems Engineering.

“It’s a fun event for a great charity, and I’m a pocketbook freak,” said Anne Marie Cooke of South Portland.

“Who doesn’t want a purse?” said Kim Winslow of Falmouth.

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer from Scarborough. She can be reached at:

amyparadysz@gmail.com