Munn's United Church in Oakville, ON writes...
Our tea began in 2004 as a fundraiser to support the
Our tea is on the Sunday afternoon before Valentine’s Day. It begins at 2 p.m. giving us a chance to set up after the church service. Our plan to have tables for 4 had to be amended to include tables of eight when groups asked to be seated together.
Each table of 4 gets a plot of homemade scones, homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream and a plate of cucumber, salmon and asparagus sandwiches. We serve regular tea and then begin the festivities. There is an introductory speech about Stephen Lewis and the Foundation. Then we taste test four teas (i.e. Dragon Tears, Fujan White Rose, Rooibus Chai) with an explanation of each as well as a history of tea itself, teapots and tea facts.
We provide our guests with plenty of opportunities to donate to the Foundation. We have a donation jar, envelopes and donor cards for donations over $10. The Million or More Oakville community campaign has created cards that can be bought for $1, and then given as a gift along with a donation to the Foundation. Samples of teas that are being tasted are available for sale. There is a raffle of several small gifts and this year we had a Tea Trivia Test which raised over $100.
We started out with 50 people in 2004 when we raised $255. This year we hosted 114 people and netted over $900. We look forward to our continuing to support the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
For more information on the Oakville community's campaign to raise a million dollars for AIDS in Africa, please visit www.millionormoreslf.ca.