Somewhere in our community, a woman is starting over with nothing.
She fled abuse or violence with only what she could grab. She's staying in a shelter, a car, or nowhere at all. Some are walking into a courtroom to face the person who hurt them, longing to stand tall with a little dignity in hand.
Year after year, Wilmington Central Rotary turns everyday kindness into comfort for women in crisis. Last year, neighbors like you filled hundreds of purses. This year, we're doing it again, and we need you.
1
Choose a Purse
Gently used or new, one you no longer carry.
2
Fill It
Add a few of the everyday items below.
3
Drop It Off
We place it in the hands of a woman who needs it.
Items to Tuck Inside
- Hand cream
- Cooling towels (new)
- Wet wipes
- Chapstick
- Socks
- Hand sanitizer
- Feminine products
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Sunscreen
- Dental floss
- Comb & brush
- Candy
- Hair ties
- Deodorant
- Gloves
No purse? Donate items.
Neither? Cash works too.
We'll fill a purse for you.
Collections open Wednesday, August 12.
Purses will be delivered mid-September.
Purses will be delivered mid-September.
Drop-Off Locations
Strickland's
5422 Oleander Dr.
The Skyline Center Lobby
929 N. Front St.
First National Bank
1724 Eastwood Dr.
1508 Military Cutoff Rd., Suite 100
JBG Painting
6409 Amsterdam Way B2
The Wilmington Central Rotary is excited to welcome Billie Gunn of JBG Painting as our newest member.
Charities we helped.
Canine for Service –
I would like to see Rotary sponsor a service dog for a Veteran. We would get to see the dog trained, visit one time and do a tour of the facility. We would get publicity on Facebook and their website. Each dog is trained for one specific Veteran.
Heart Walk –
Heart Disease is the #1 killer in men & women. The Heart Walk funds heart & stroke programs for public awareness.
Smash Cancer –
The organization supports The Head & Neck Cancer Alliance whose core purpose is to advance prevention, detection, treatment, & rehabilitation of oral, head and neck cancers through public awareness, research, advocacy, & survivorship.
First Fruit Ministries –
What really stuck with me when Jenni spoke to our club was the way they work with their clients. I love that they let their clients use their address so they can find work and housing. I did not know that was a barrier for folks. They really meet people where the need is. I’ve donated food to their food pantry before, and they really seem to have a well-oiled machine.
Lower Cape Fear Life Care – Camp Voyager –
The requested funding will support the materials and activities that make Camp Voyager possible. Funds will provide art supplies, grief kits, books, comfort items, and daily meals and snacks for participants. These resources allow children to fully participate in camp activities and provide take-home tools families can continue using after the program concludes.
Stuff the Bus – Support Communities In Schools
In August, the Wilmington Central Rotary Club is teaming up with Communities In Schools for our annual Stuff the Bus drive. We’re collecting new school supplies to help local students start the year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.
You can donate supplies by giving them directly to any Rotarian. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other essentials are all welcome. Your support makes a real difference. Join us in helping students thrive—let’s stuff the bus together!
July’s Fill the Purses project was a wonderful success.
Thanks to all of you who contributed purses and items to add to them.
Especially:
First National Bank, Bo Dean and the team at NHC offices, Strickland’s Home, Bon Air Daydreams, Salt Air Heating, Cooling & Electrical, United Community Bank
Due to your collections and donations, we were able to distribute over 300 purses to:
The Carousel Center, Domestic Violence Center, First Fruit Ministries, Good Shepherd House, Christian Recovery House, Wilmington Recovery House, Operation Pretty Things
Wilmington Central Rotary Presents A Check to Support The Scholarship
Honoring Mason Thompson’s Legacy
On July 8, 2025, Wilmington Central Rotary presented a check to Jason Thompson for the “I Don’t Know Yet” Scholarship, established in honor of his son, Mason N. Thompson, who tragically lost his life at the age of 20 in a workplace accident.
The scholarship supports hardworking students at Cape Fear Community College who, like Mason, are committed to learning, persistence, personal growth, and making meaningful contributions, even as they continue to explore and shape their future paths.
What We Do
We are a group of business people in the Wilmington area who are drawn together to help individuals and organizations by donating our time and contributing financially.
How We Do It
We roll up our sleeves and pitch in to help, we also have fundraisers so we can donate to individuals or organizations that need us.
