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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Karmel Wanzek first started Purses for a Purpose three years ago while in college. The event has since grown to be one of the biggest fundraisers for Service Dogs for America.

The event features designer purses that are donated by sponsors and different organizations and are then auctioned off. There is also a purse exchange where attendees can bring purses to exchange with others. All proceeds are donated to help fund service dogs for North Dakota Veterans.

Wanzek stated that they’ve never done entertainment this year, but Blind Joe and Joe Schmidt nailed the whole meaning for the event.

The event had over 180 attendees and raised nearly $18,000. Wanzek said she hoped the event attendees got the meaning behind the whole event.

The cost to sponsor a service dog is around $20,000 and training takes nearly two years or longer to complete.