Save the Date!
October 16, 2025
A Night In Hollywood
LIGHTS, CAMERA, IMPACT!
The annual United Way Power of the Purse Gala returns for an unforgettable evening of glamour, giving, and empowerment. Join us for A Night in Hollywood as we celebrate strong women, uplift vital community programs, and raise funds to support local families in need.
Mark your calendars now—this is one night you won’t want to miss!
Stay tuned for ticket information, sponsorship opportunities, and sneak peeks of what's in store.
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Cowlitz County Event Center
Become a Power of the Purse Sponsor!
Help us roll out the red carpet for change.
By sponsoring Power of the Purse: A Night in Hollywood, you’re not just supporting a glamorous evening—you’re investing in real impact.
Your sponsorship helps fund programs that uplift women, children, and families right here in our community.
In 2023 
we lost an incredible member of our organization and dear friend, Heidi Souvenir. Heidi’s warmth, laughter, and dedication greatly benefited United Way and our community. In appreciation of Heidi, we have named our Woman of Excellence Award in her honor. Her dedication and commitment to our community are a model fo us and define how we seek to lead and learn here at United Way.
The Heidi Souvenir Woman of Excellence Award is given out once a year at Power of the Purse. The award honors an outstanding local woman who, like Heidi, exemplifies strength, passion, and action in creating community and investing in others.
We welcome nominations from our community. If you know or work with someone who models leadership and a philanthropic spirit, please read our description below and submit a nomination.
Criteria
A Woman of Excellence is someone who leads with passion and invests in creating community and supporting others. We seek to recognize a woman who lives or works in Cowlitz or Wahkiakum Counties and exemplifies our mission to “mobilize the caring power of our community to continuously improve the lives of every person in Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties.”
We seek to honor a woman who advocates for others, generously gives her time through volunteerism, builds meaningful partnerships, and is a strong, positive force in our community. She is someone who not only leads but gives back—uplifting those around her and inspiring change through action and service.
To be eligible for this award, the person cannot be a current United Way staff or board member and cannot have won the award within the past five years. (Click here to see past winners)
We recognize that we have many wonderful women and leaders in our community who work tirelessly for others.
To nominate a Woman of Excellence: Please complete the application and provide thorough and thoughtful answers. Only completed applications will be considered. Information provided in your nomination will be used as the basis for determining whether this individual will be nominated or be a potential winner, although the Board may review and consider outside information about each candidate as well. Please provide a thorough explanation for why this person is an outstanding example of a Woman of Excellence and why they should be nominated for this award.