Small Blessings Purse Project......... Christine A. Smyczysnki

Small Blessings Purse Project Another way to share the wealth

STORY AND PHOTO BY CHRISTINE A. SMYCZYNSKI

Small Blessings Purse Project founder Susan Riley poses with her dog in "the purse room."

Susan Riley is all about “living a purposeful life of service.” A graphic designer for forty years, Riley ran her own business for twenty-seven of them, specializing in creating brochures, marketing materials, and newsletters for the senior care industry. Prompted by the pandemic’s adverse effect on workflow, Riley decided to retire and enjoy life. “I was fortunate to be able to retire early,” she says. “I’m determined to make the most of my time”

In fall 2019, feeling thankful for all she had, Riley wanted to find a way to give back, something she could do from home. She began collecting purses to fill with personal care products, then donating them to organizations that assist disadvantaged women. Now, Riley calls her ministry Small Blessings Purse Project, as she wanted a faith-based name and because the purse items are “small blessings.” “I’m trying to build women up and lend a helping hand,” says Riley, who does the work in honor of her mother, who passed away seven years ago. “This ministry is only a small gesture to help women who may be struggling, to brighten their day and put a smile on their faces.”

The project started small, with a notice in her church bulletin at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Clarence; the response was encouraging. “Women are extremely generous,” Riley says. “They see this as an opportunity to help other women. Empowered women empower women. They have an emotional attachment to their purses; they know where they bought them and will tell you the history of the purse and why they want to give it to others.”

Word spread. Soon, other churches and organizations—including Christ the King Church in Snyder, Our Lady of Peace in Clarence, Alden Presbyterian, and Chesterton Academy—contacted Riley offering to organize ongoing collections with Small Blessings Purse Project. Donations are now collected year-round. In her first year, Riley filled and donated 165 purses; this past year, more than 500 purses were filled and donated.

A few years ago, to assist her mother, Riley moved back into her childhood home. Her former childhood bedroom is now “the purse room,” filled with bins of purses of all sizes and varieties, including designer bags and even backpacks. Some are new with tags still attached. “I’m amazed at the generous amount of stuff people give me!” she says.

Also in the room are bins upon bins of toiletry items like deodorant, shampoo, soap, tissues, hand sanitizer, etc. People donate these items as well as gift cards to Dollar Tree, which Riley says has the best products at the best price. The products are set up to fill purses in assembly-line fashion.

Riley tailors purse donations to the organization’s recipients. For example, Journey’s End Refugee Services often assists families, so she will give them bigger purses filled with full size products. If she is donating purses to organizations serving homeless or displaced women, she uses smaller purses filled with travel size products. For faith-based organizations, she adds a rosary and a miraculous medal. Ladies

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from her church make the rosaries, and a priest blesses them.

Every purse also has a little “bling,” a small piece of donated costume jewelry. “It’s great,” Riley says, “because it’s something that they’re not expecting!”

Riley shares some comments from some organization recipients:

“Many families left their countries with few possessions. Sue’s purses are a way we can give women a practical welcome gift when they arrive in Buffalo. The Small Blessings Purse Project is a fine example of why Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors. Thanks to Susan and her many donors, we can extend kindness in our world!” (Andy Cammarata, Journey’s End Refugee Service)

“Mothers come to our door focused on providing for the needs of their little ones, not themselves. Receiving a gift of a purse, and feeling the care and concern behind it, definitely blesses their day and brings a smile to their faces.” (Cheryl ZielenErsing, St. Gianna Molla Pregnancy Outreach Center)

Riley is also involved with Water=Life, a non-profit organization that was founded locally in 2013 to provide water filtration systems in third world countries. In January 2020, Riley traveled to Uganda to bring water filters to 150 schools and to train schoolteachers how to assemble, use, and maintain the system. waterequalslife.org

Small Blessings Purse Project is collecting donations of clean, gently used purses, along with the following new/unopen personal care items: soap, deodorant, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer, lip balm, brush/comb, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss, socks, tissues and costume jewelry. FY

To make a donation and ask questions, contact Susan Riley at rileydesign@ gmail.com.

Christine A. Smyczynski is a freelance writer and blogger and author of Western New York Explorer’s Guide.