New York Based Charity Tackles the Global Nursing Shortage
Purses for Nurses, Inc. sells pre-owned handbags to fund humanitarian Nursing trips abroad
New York, NY, April 16, 2015: In recognition of National Nurses Week, Manhattan based organization Purses for Nurses, Inc. is taking action to combat the shortage of nurses worldwide by addressing its biggest barrier: funding. The organization aims to fund nurses' volunteer trips abroad by collecting and reselling pre-owned handbags. The nurses will provide training and other critical services that are in short supply to health professionals and locals in underdeveloped communities.
Purses for Nurses was founded in 2014 by CEO Melissa Zuk, RN, BSN, CCRN out of her own frustrations with volunteering abroad. “I’ve spent time volunteering abroad – up to a month at a time – but most of that was spent shadowing other professionals and the cost to volunteer was more than most vacations I’ve taken.” According to Melissa, volunteer abroad organizations are aplenty, but the costs [often as much as $4,000 for 2 weeks] keep many qualified, eager nurses from volunteering. And for nurses who do volunteer abroad, the costs limit them to one or two short trips per year, making sustainability a major issue for communities in need.
The team is just short of their first goal to collect 500 purses by May 1st, and already has their sights set on the next big milestone of 1,000 bags collected by December 2015.
Purses for Nurses Inc. has applied for 501(c)3 status and is expecting to have that designation by Fall 2015. In recent months, the organization has made great progress, becoming Incorporated in New York State, making connections with humanitarian organizations abroad, and earning the support of International Council of Nurses (ICN) President, Judith Shamian. Supporters of the new organization have popped up all over the United States, donating purses and monetary gifts to help the vision become a reality.
Purse donations in the NYC area can be scheduled for pickup by contacting info@pursesfornurses.org
Purses for Nurses, Inc. also accepts financial contributions which may be made through the organization’s website http://www.pursesfornurses.org/get-involved/
Interested parties (volunteers, collaborators, other organizations) may reach Melissa directly at melissa.zuk@pursesfornurses.org
Contact Information:
Melissa Zuk, Founder
Purses for Nurses Inc.
136 W 74th St Ph A, New York, NY 10023
(775)453-3893
melissa.zuk@pursesfornurses.org
www.pursesfornurses.org