By Amanda Raymond
amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Stitchin’ Post Gifts, along with accessory manufacturer Brighton, is collecting gently used handbags for local women.

As part of Brighton’s Handbag Trade-In campaign, Stitchin’ Post Gifts at 104 S. Main St. will be accepting gently used handbags of any manufacturer until July 24.

Brighton hosts the Handbag Trade-In annually to benefit local women.

Jerry Kohl, owner and founder of Brighton, said the goal of the drive is to benefit local women who may not have the expendable funds to spend on accessories.

“The simple gift of a handbag can do so much to lift a woman’s spirits, and that handbag still may be as beautiful as the day you bought it and bring joy to another woman less fortunate than you,” Kohl said in a press release.

Brighton has a goal of collecting “10,000 handbags in 10 days to help 10,000 women in need.”

Stitchin’ Post Gifts, one participating retailer, has a goal of collecting 50 handbags for the Nazareth Children’s Home’s outlet store.

Sherry Lowery, sales associate at Stitchin’ Post Gifts, said they wanted to help women look their best for things like job interviews.

“We want to help 50 women have that opportunity,” she said.

As an extra incentive, any woman who brings in a handbag to donate to the collection between now and July 24 will receive $25 to $50 off of a new Brighton handbag.

Those who spend $100 to $200 will get a $25 bonus, and those who spend $201 or more will get a $50 bonus.

Lowery said Brighton’s handbags are one of Stitchin’ Post Gifts biggest lines and they rarely go on sale.

“This way you get a little something and you give a little something,” she said.

Handbags can be dropped off at Stitchin’ Post Gifts any time during business hours — Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Visit www.brighton.com for all participating retailers.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.