Ladies Tea reaches milestone, adds glam to parish fundraising

Ladies Tea reaches milestone, adds glam to parish fundraising
By Claudine Grunenwald Kirschner
As published in Horizons, May 28, 2017
 
Caption 1: Guests at the 10th-annual Ladies Tea at St. Basil Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, view the raffle baskets and place their tickets for a chance to win.
 
Caption 2: Ladies Tea co-chairs Lori Saunders (left) and Cathy Hruska at this year’s event.
(Photos: Larry Hruska)
 
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — The St. Macrina Guild at St. Basil Parish has much to celebrate. The annual Ladies Tea, the largest event the group sponsors, reached a 10-year milestone April 30. In the past decade, the event has raised more than $120,000 to support the parish and other charitable causes.
Co-chairs Cathy Hruska and Lori Saunders explained this activity is one in which every person in the parish has an opportunity to become involved. All 12 active members of the guild serve on committees and accomplish various tasks. Parishioners contribute funds, donate raffle prizes, sell tickets, host tables, and assist during the event. Husbands and other men serve the food for the women attending.
Participants can attend Divine Liturgy in the church before the tea.
“Some hosts and most of those attending aren’t parishioners, but are family, friends, and co-workers who look forward to this event every year,” said Hruska.
Each year has a different theme, but an enduring part of the tradition is fancy hats, glamourous atmosphere, and a chance to win prizes.
“The women feel special just walking in the door,” said Saunders.
This year, more than 240 women attended and bought raffle tickets for 59 prize baskets, eight of which were premium baskets valued between $300 and $600.
Additional special elements this year were colorful anniversary cakes for each table and the presentation of a plaque with the names of all of the table hosts over the past 10 years. The plaque will be blessed the third week in July when the parish celebrates the feast of St. Macrina, which annually recognizes guild members for their active involvement in the parish. Guild members participate by holding gospel candles, reciting together a prayer for St. Macrina and receiving a special blessing.
Reaching beyond their parish, the women have shared their planning information and guidance with other parishes pursuing similar events.