Published: November 10, 2008 07:51 am      

Tea party for a good cause

The holiday spirit will be celebrated with charity, food and Christmas fun Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women Holiday Tea Party. The event will be conducted from 2 to 4 p.m. at the facility at 218 Lake St., featuring a variety of foods, including sandwiches, scones and tea cakes. The Reel World String Band will provide musical entertainment throughout the event.

Liberty Place is a long-term substance abuse facility for women. A portion of the proceeds will go into the residents’ special events budget, allowing the women to attend special activities and training, such as Alcoholics Anonymous conferences.

The remaining funds will go toward purchasing program supplies, said Jeri Allison, Liberty Place program director.

“Because we are grant funded, there are some program supplies that we need that don’t fall into the budget,” Allison said. “Some of these supplies include stationary, scrapbooking materials, Christmas trees and ornaments, Christmas stockings for the ladies, etc. All of these additional supplies are critical to the health and well-being of the program.”

The women will serve as the hostesses during the event.

“We want them to build relationships with people in the community,” Allison said.

Another way the community can help financially support the facility is to sponsor a table for the event. Sponsors will be responsible for decorating a table that seats six and is 60 inches round.

Table and chairs will be provided.

The decoration and set-up period will begin at noon the day of the event.

Lit candles are not permitted, however unlit candles are allowed as a part of a decorative theme.

All tables should be decorated wirh a Christmas theme. Some theme examples include: Snowmen, Winter Wonderland, Victorian, The Night Before Christmas, Santa, Candy Shop, etc.

Table requirements include: A 72-inch table cloth, a runner or place mats, six place settings including tea cups (at least 6 ounces) and saucers, 10-inch dinner plates, silverware and napkins.

Those who do not wish to decorate a table, but still participate in the fundraiser, can donate $300, the price of decorating a table.

The deadline to sponsor is Nov. 21 and all sponsors will be listed in the event program flier.

There are 120 tickets available, which are $20 per person. A table sponsor can purchase all six of the seats at their table for $120.

The silent auction will include items such as gift certificates, gift baskets, holiday décor items, electronics, food items and books.

All silent auction items can be donated until Dec. 5.

There also will be a silent auction for decorated wreaths. No more than 40 wreaths will be accepted and they must be 24 to 30 inches round.

The wreaths will be displayed on residents’ doors and can be publicly viewed on Dec. 4-5 from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m.

Silent auction bids for all wreaths will begin Dec. 4.

All donations are tax deductible.

Call 625-0104 for more information about becoming a sponsor.

“Our residents don’t get to go home for the holidays,” Allison said. “This is a very tough time for them. We want the community to show them that they are supported and that they are being encouraged to get well.”

There also is a goal for the community, she said.

“We also hope to raise awareness of substance abuse,” she said. “This event will serve as an excellent way for someone to visit and support Liberty Place.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.