It was a wonderful evening. In its second year, the event more than doubled its gross proceeds from the previous year. The view was incredible, the food was delicious, the bags, totes, purses and packages were drool-worthy. But none could be outdone by the room full of wonderful people who came out to lift up the women and families in our Cape Cod community.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Cape and Islands United Way’s Community Baby Shower, the Strong from the Start program as well as a new initiative helping young women enrolled at Cape Cod Community College. More on this aspiring program in the coming months…
A special thanks to our generous donors, sponsors and bidders who used the power of their purses for such good: Turtle Rock LLC, The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Cape Cod 5, Just Picked Gifts, Horgan Insurance, Rockland Trust, Kilwins Hyannis, Bob Norton Realty Group - Kinlin Grover, and Puritan Cape Cod.
Stay tuned for our announcement for Power of the Purse 2020!
Bilezikian honored for her many contributions
At the event, we honored Doreen Bilezikian as Honorary Chair for her many contributions to our community.
The longtime Cape Cod businesswoman, community leader and philanthropist was honored with the inaugural Woman of Impact award for her contributions to the Cape Cod community.
Doreen and her late husband, Charles, turned a one-shop Christmas Tree Shop in 1970 in Yarmouthport into a 23-store chain and well-known brand when they sold it to Bed, Bath and Beyond in 2003. The Bilezikians raised their family on the Cape, mentored many people in the retail business, and served on numerous committees and boards. They had long been supporters of many causes and when they sold the business, they founded the Bilezikian Family Foundation to further their philanthropy, not only here on Cape Cod but in many other places as well.
“I first met Doreen when I was a young journalist working for the local paper. I can’t remember the particular cause, but I won’t forget the passion, energy and commitment she gave it,” said Mark Skala, president and CEO of the Cape and Islands United Way. “As a business woman, wife, mother, grandmother and philanthropist, Doreen embodies everything Women United stands for – strong, courageous, generous, formidable, humble.”