(WATERTOWN, NY) – The Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation has announced the return of its annual Posh Purse Palooza. This event will take place Thursday, May 9, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Garland City Beer Works, 321 Howk St., Watertown. The event will be preceded by an online auction component.

Posh Purse Palooza, which will now mark its eighth year, is a silent auction event that features new or gently-used purses filled with various items such as gift certificates, jewelry, bottles of wine, scarves, cosmetics and more. Purses are donated by generous people in the community – either filled with items or without and then stuffed with donations from businesses and other individuals in the community.

Designers have included Coach, Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, Dooney & Bourke, Vera Bradley, Calvin Klein and others. When donations of purses are received, each is assigned a value along with a value of the contents inside. Guests at the event are then able to place bids in the silent auction of the purses while mingling and enjoying food and drink from Garland City Beer Works.

Garland City Beer Works will feature the signature drink from Tuesday, April 9, until the night of the event on May 9, with $2 from every cocktail to go directly to the VTC Foundation.

Bidding through this year’s online auction component will open Thursday, April 25, through the VTC website, www.volunteertransportationcenter.org. Online bidding in advance will be limited to a number of select purses, with the majority first being available for bids the night of the event.

The festivities on May 9 will begin at 5:30 p.m. and winners will be revealed following the end of the auction at 7 p.m.

Again this year, those who are attending the event will not need to purchase a ticket. Previously, attendees paid $20 per person for the chance to bid and enjoy light refreshments.

Donations and proceeds from this event will again support the programs of the VTC providing transportation to medical, dental and other life-sustaining health-related appointments throughout Northern New York.

While there will be again no charge to attend this year, Mr. Papineau added, those wishing to bid in person are asked to RSVP by Thursday, April 25, to ensure capacity will not be exceeded. In addition, those attending will be required to follow COVID-19 guidelines for restaurants, if any, at the time of the event.

Sponsors for this year’s Posh Purse Palooza and donations of purses and items to go into the purses are being sought. For more information, contact VTC Foundation Director Jeremiah S. Papineau at 315-303-2590 or via email at jeremiah@volunteertransportation.org.