In honor of Mother’s Day, 96.9 WSIG and the rest of the Harrisonburg Radio Group are helping local Moms in need this Mother’s Day by collecting gently used or brand-new handbags to be distributed to women being served at First Step Harrisonburg.

But what is First Step?

According to their website:

For over 40 years, First Step has been committed to providing free and confidential services to survivors of intimate partner or relationship violence who have experienced economic, physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and/or verbal abuse, including but not limited to controlling behavior, isolation, threats, intimidation,

gaslighting, stalking and dating violence.

Leaving that kind of situation is one of the most difficult things anyone can do. Most women leave those situations with nothing more than the clothes on their back, which is why handbags are so vitally important to them. Not only is it a nice gift to receive, it also allows them to have some normalcy in this situation.

First step offers:

• emergency sheltering
• counseling
• legal advocacy and case management
• children’s services
• rehousing
• and more…

Get more details about First Step including on how you can help, at their website.

And don’t forget, we are collecting new and gently used bags for these women, now through May.