What is Love That Bag?

Love That Bag! (formerly known as the Old Bags Tea/Purse Auction) is a live and silent auction featuring new and used, designer and casual, purses and bags of all kinds. These purses are donated by our gracious donors who clean out their closets to share those bags they once loved and no longer use and by donors who see bags along the way during their shopping adventures and set them aside for the event. All purse donations are in-kind tax deductible gifts to the Alliance and once valued by the donor, can be presented with a receipt for tax purposes.


Proceeds from the auctions benefit the programs of the Alliance for Women & Children including Alliance After School Care, A-Teens, Women’s Health Awareness, and Women’s Economic Empowerment.

When and where is the event?

Love That Bag! is Thursday, May 16 at 6:00 in the evening at the 181 Pine Street.

How can I donate a bag?

Donations can be taken by any Board Member of the Alliance for Women & Children or can be dropped off at the Alliance office. Please include the value of the bag and the name and address of the donor.

How do can I participate in the event?

Reserved tables for 8 are available for purchase prior to the event for $350, as well as, individual seating at $40 per ticket. Space is limited and we have sold out for the past few years, so act early! Tables and seats can be reserved by contacting the Alliance office at 325-677-5321.

What is the Fall Luncheon?

The Fall Luncheon is an annual fundraising event typically held in September at which we bring in a motivational, inspiring speaker to bring an encouraging message to the community. Please join us for this celebration September 26, 2013 at the Abilene Civic Center.

The 2012 Fall Luncheon speaker, Charles Marshall is one of the most popular humorous motivational speakers speaking today and has over 20 years experience speaking to audiences all over the United States. Each year, Charles travels 100,000 miles to perform in over 100 corporate and civic venues from New York to California. His animated delivery and original observations have captivated over 1,000 audiences over the past two decades, including many Fortune 500 companies.

Charles Marshall is also a nationally syndicated humor columnist and the author of the modern day motivational classic, Shattering the Glass Slipper and the popular humor book, I’m Not Crazy, But I Might Be A Carrier. Additionally, he has released two full-length comedy videos, Fully Animated and I’m Just Sayin’!

As we celebrate our 10th Fall Luncheon, we will be recognizing and honoring 10 men and women who have made significant contributions and impact on the Alliance for Women and Children. These 10 honorees will be awarded the Jewel Davis Scarborough Award for Outstanding Service. Nominees will be chosen from categories such as Alliance Members, Volunteers, Clients, Boards and Staff. Honorees will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event. Check back to learn who will be chosen and look for special ads in the Abilene Reporter News!

Proceeds from the Fall Luncheon benefit the programs of the Alliance for Women & Children including Alliance After School Care, A-Teens, and Women’s Health Awareness.

How can I participate in the Fall Luncheon?

The Alliance accepts sponsorships for the Fall Luncheon to underwrite the costs of the event. Information regarding sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Toni Brown, Executive Director at 325-677-5321.

Register here

Special Thanks to the 2012 Fall Luncheon Committee

Courtney Jordan, Chair
Emily Dean
Denise Camacho
Cyndee Castel
Sarah Ferguson
Margie Royall

Survivor Fest 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th.

What is Survivor FEST?

Survivor FEST is an event inspired by a woman in our community who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40’s. She had no family history or other typical risk factors. The purpose of Survivor FEST is to raise awareness about breast cancer and celebrate survivorship. This year’s event is a dance featuring Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys and a silent auction. Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Women’s Health Awareness program to help provide mammograms and diagnostic testing for women without insurance.

How can I participate in Survivor FEST?

The Alliance accepts sponsorships for Survivor FEST to underwrite the costs of the event. Information regarding sponsorships can be obtained by contacting Toni Brown, Executive Director at 325-677-5321. Tickets will go on sale prior to the event and will be available at the Alliance office and the KEAN radio station.

The Alliance is also accepting donations for our silent auction. Information regarding such donations can be obtained by contacting Toni Brown, Executive Director at 325-677-5321.

Special thanks to our committee

Barbara Pointer, Chair
Delores Cox
Diane Gibbs
Renee Gonzalez
Shay Hill
Michelle McGuire
Sandra Minnick
Carolyn Nichols
Merri Roberts
Debbie Wristen

Abilene Chapter of Women’s Council of REALTORS® is proud to partner with Abilene Alliance for Women and Children for the 2nd Annual Bras for the Cause, September 29, 2012 at The Historic Paramount Theatre, 7:00-10:00pm.

Bras for the Cause is an effort to promote awareness and prevention of breast cancer, and provide financial assistance to uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients in Abilene and the Big Country. Local models will advocate for breast cancer awareness wearing bras designed by local artists and volunteers. The bras will be auctioned to the public with proceeds benefitting the Alliance for Women & Children.

Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Design a bra (or bustier)

These elaborately decorate bras will be displayed in prominent areas around town. Citizens throughout the Big Country are encouraged to get involved in creating one of these bras. Bras can be painted made additional fabric, beads, jewels, feathers, recycled materials, and copper. Be creative! Use what represents your hobby, business, special interest, or personality. Your bra is required to be “G” rated. Don’t forget a clever title to your entry. For bra design ideas, go to www.brasforthecausemichigan.com.

Purchase event tickets
Tickets are $10 each

If you have any questions about this event, contact Renee Coulson 829-5654, Tina Backus 513-6990, Tracey Serrell 280-3120 or Shawna Abernathy 514-0586.

Wreath Ceremonies

October is national breast cancer awareness month and each year the Alliance for Women & Children teams up with the County Courthouses in all 21 counties we serve to recognize this occasion. Watch for upcoming dates in your county and join us as we place a wreath on the courthouse door to remind women to get their annual mammograms.

Bunco for Breast Cancer

Every October, Hendrick Medical Center’s Vera West Women’s Center hosts Bunco for Breast Cancer. If you have never played Bunco, it is a dice game similar to Yahtzee, and is extremely easy to learn. This event raises money for the Vera West Hope Fund and a portion of those proceeds benefit the Alliance for Women & Children’s Women’s Health Awareness program. Those dollars help provide mammograms for women age 40-49 who receive their mammogram at Vera West. Go to http://www.ehendrick.org/bunco for more details and to register for this year’s event!

Annual Meeting

According to our by-laws, the Alliance for Women & Children holds an annual meeting of its membership once a year in the fourth quarter to report to the membership regarding the organization’s progress. This is also the meeting in which new officers and new members of the upcoming year’s Board of Directors are selected. If you are a member, please watch for your invitation to this meeting around November as the meeting will be held during the first week of December.