Monday, 05 October 2026 08:00 AM
Company Update
Fifth annual campaign surpasses its $250,000 goal and sets records for funds raised, purses sewn, and participants enrolled
YUBA CITY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 5, 2026 / Sew Powerful closed the 2026 Sew-A-Thon at midnight on September 30 with $267,921 raised, enough to provide reusable menstrual health supplies to 26,792 schoolgirls in the African nation of Zambia. The total surpassed the campaign goal of $250,000 for 25,000 girls.
In Zambia, many girls can't afford menstrual supplies and stay home from school during their periods, falling further behind each month. Sew Powerful's answer is a small fabric purse filled with reusable supplies, and every $10 raised fills one purse. Volunteers sew the purses during September, National Sewing Month, and women in Zambia fill them before they reach the schoolgirls who need them.
Campaign Highlights
This year's Sew-A-Thon was the strongest in the event's five-year history, which means more girls in class. Volunteers sewed 8,270 purses, well above the goal of 7,000 and 38 percent more than last year. Funds raised grew 22 percent, and more people took part than ever before.
Teams were a big part of this year's success. Forty-six teams raised more than a third of all funds, showing how much farther participants go when they sew and fundraise together.
The race for the top spots came down to the final hours. The second-place fundraiser sat in third until the eleventh hour, then pulled ahead by just $4 to earn the right to select one of the Grand Prizes. Final standings are posted on the Leader Board at SewAThon.org .
Top fundraisers, top purse producers, teams, and sponsors will be recognized during the Sew Powerful Live wrap-up broadcast on October 7, starting at 2:30 p.m. Pacific / 5:30 p.m. Eastern.
Five Years of Growth
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Funds Raised | $39,000 | $138,677 | $167,506 | $218,728 | $267,921 |
| Purses Sewn | 2,500 | 4,302 | 4,459 | 5,995 | 8,270 |
| Girls Helped | 3,900 | 13,868 | 16,751 | 21,873 | 26,792 |
Since the first Sew-A-Thon in 2022, the funds raised and girls helped have grown nearly 7x and the number of purses sewn has more than tripled.
Thank You to the 2026 Sponsors
Sew Powerful thanks the 18 sponsors whose donated prizes, from professional sewing machines to fabric bundles and notions, helped motivate participants to raise their game all campaign long. Sponsors also introduced Sew Powerful to hundreds of thousands of new supporters through their own communities.
The full list of donated prizes can be seen at SewAThon.org/prizes .
- Diamond: Jaftex
- Platinum: Janome America
- Gold: Infinite Aloe, Northcott, Tacony/Baby Lock
- Silver: Aurifil USA, Bernina of America, East Texas Sewing Center, Kai Scissors, Pixie Faire, Sue Spargo
- Bronze: All Brands, Craft Optics, Cutterpillar, Oliso, Pocono Sew & Vac, Sew Powerful Parables, SewTites
Leadership Comment
"Every number in these results stands for a girl who can stay in her classroom instead of missing school each month," said Jason Miles, co-founder of Sew Powerful. "Our participants, teams, donors, and sponsors showed up in a bigger way than ever before for 26,792 girls in Zambia. And because Zambian seamstresses make the supplies, these funds also create local jobs for local impact."
About Sew Powerful
Sew Powerful is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an organization of hope through its purse, feeding, and empowerment programs. Founded in 2009, Sew Powerful has helped more than 180,000 girls by providing the supplies they need to stay in school. The annual Sew-A-Thon invites sewists and supporters to sew purses during National Sewing Month and raise funds to fill them. Learn more at SewPowerful.org and SewAThon.org .
Media Contact
Jan Cancila, Chief Marketing Officer, [email protected]
SOURCE: Sew Powerful