Tea is tradition for mothers, daughters

MOSES LAKE - Ladies in their finest sipped tea and listened to music during the 14th Annual Soroptimist of Moses Lake Tea Saturday.

Amy Kirwan, of Soroptimist, said the event was the organization's largest annual fundraiser.

The event is for ladies only and there is a waiting list for tickets.

"It's a tradition for a lot of mothers and daughters," Kirwan said.

Funds raised through ticket sales as well as the live and silent auctions go toward Soroptimist of Moses Lake's community service projects, including Care 4 Kids, scholarships, and Thanksgiving baskets.

Soroptimist is an international organization for women, aimed at bettering the lives of women and girls, according to the group's website. There are clubs in 120 countries around the world.

Not all of the tea attendees were Soroptimist members, as was the case of Emma Terry, 9, of Moses Lake, who was seated at a table decked out in pink with her mother, her friends and their mothers.

"We always (come) to this," Terry said.

For Dalila Shawhan, of Moses Lake, the tea was a new experience and one she was thoroughly enjoying.

"I've never been before and it's fantastic!" Shawhan said.

Shawhan was invited to attend by her co-worker, Kristen Speed, also of Moses Lake, who had tickets for the Numerica Credit Union table.

"I joined Soroptimist about one-and-a-half years ago," Speed said. "I joined because of what they stand for."

This year was Speed's first tea.

Speed is a board member and said that it is a fulfilling post to hold.

"It's fulfilling to be able to give back to the community," Speed said.

Among the speakers at the tea, was Cynthia Swan, a school counselor a Larson Heights, who discussed the benefits of the Care 4 Kids program.

The program provides backpacks with personal hygiene products, new clothes and shoes, and other items to children in need.

"This has been such a blessing to all our students," Swan said.

She said 10 students at Larson Heights had benefitted from the program.

"Every child that has received a backpack has been so excited," Swan said. 

She described one family, that included three children who received backpacks on the same day and how the following day they all wore their new clothing to school.

"I want to thank all of you," Swan said.

Soroptimist member Kristen Vedder, of Moses Lake, said Care 4 Kids currently serves six schools in the Moses Lake School District and Soroptimist of Moses Lake is hoping to expand that service to all elementary schools in the district by the end of the year.

For more information about Soroptimist, visit www.soroptimist.org

To purchase tickets for the 2012  annual tea, contact a Soroptimist of Moses Lake member.