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High Teas Will Pour Money Into Red Cross' Pasco Efforts

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: June 14, 2008

Where else can you raise pinkies and money for the community's good?

Two high teas will feature elegantly decorated tables, champagne, tea sandwiches, scones, gourmet breads, Viennese delicacy platters and, of course, various teas. While they are enjoying the treats in a luxury setting, women can learn how to help their community.

The teas, set for June 25 at Champions Club in Trinity and June 26 at the Women's Garden Club in Dade City, are hosted by Red Cross board members Kathryn Starkey and Diane Heiler to benefit the Pasco County branch of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross. Guests will hear about Red Cross services and will be encouraged to help form a Red Cross auxiliary in the Pasco area.

"We wanted to build up a presence in Pasco County," said Judy Pontiff, community relations manager for the Pasco branch of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross. "We want to form a group of ladies that supports the Red Cross through speaking engagements and fundraisers."

This auxiliary would fulfill on a local level many of the duties handled by the Red Cross Angels. The Tampa-based auxiliary is celebrating 25 years of service and this year donated nearly $175,000 to the Red Cross.

"We have a fine model in Hillsborough County with the Red Cross Angels," said Starkey, chairwoman of the Pasco County School Board and a Red Cross board member.

As auxiliary members, Pasco women would have the opportunity to plan and host fundraisers, which could include auctions, balls, yard sales and holiday events.

"These ladies will be our ambassadors who can pick and choose what they want to do to raise money and awareness for the Red Cross," Pontiff said. "They will speak for us."

Their efforts will support the mission and activities of the Red Cross, which at local and international levels provides disaster preparedness and relief in hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, floods and other disasters; health and safety classes; and services for military personnel, ensuring that troops can come home in cases of family emergencies and receive messages from loved ones while serving overseas.

At this month's high teas, guest speakers will include Anna Trefethen, chief executive officer of the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross, and representatives of Tampa's Red Cross Angels.

Guests will experience a classically designed high tea from 4 to 6 p.m., in keeping with high tea traditions, at tables they have the option of decorating.

Most importantly, they will learn how to help.

"They will learn how women can get involved in their community and become community leaders," Starkey said.

AMERICAN RED CROSS TEAS

SOME BACKGROUND: The Pasco County branch of the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross will benefit from two high teas to raise awareness about the need for a Red Cross auxiliary in Pasco County and to raise money for the Red Cross.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: The Red Cross, an internationally renowned service organization, provides widespread disaster relief.

A LITTLE HISTORY: The Red Cross Angels in Hillsborough County was formed 25 years ago; this marks the first attempt to organize an auxiliary in Pasco County.

WHAT'S NEXT?: The teas are 4 to 6 p.m. June 25 at the Champions Club in the Fox Hollow area of Trinity, 10132 Robert Trent Jones Parkway; and 4 to 6 p.m. June 26 at the Women's Garden Club, 37922 Palm Ave. in Dade City.

GET INVOLVED: Tickets for the high teas range in price from $40 per person or $250 for a table of four to $500 for a table of eight; all proceeds will benefit the Red Cross. For information, call Sandy Moyer or Judy Pontiff at (727) 862-8685.

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