You can enjoy a full English Victorian Afternoon Tea — with pinky finger tucked in when lifting your cup, if you're following British etiquette — while supporting the Fill a Purse for a Sister campaign to become a registered charity.
Fill a Purse is hosting the event at the Old Curiosity Tea Shop on Main Street Markham Saturday, June 1 from 2 to 4:30 p.m., including a pot of loose-leaf tea, freshly made dainty sandwiches, warm scones, clotted cream and preserves, and English cookies and cakes — all served on the finest of Royal Doulton china, of course, in authentic Victorian tea room surroundings.
"By enjoying tea with your friends and family, you are helping us to make a difference in the lives of women in our communities, and across Canada," said Angel Freedman, founder of the initiative that provides purses and backpacks filled with items donated by individuals for women and youth in shelters and crisis centres across York Region — and the country, now.
The aptly named campaign has grown in leaps and bounds since its local launch five years ago — from 1,500 purses going to a few shelters in its first year to almost 10,000 purses and backpacks going to shelters in communities not only across York Region but the province and globe last year. Newmarket was one of the original communities involved in the campaign that runs from September to December annually.
The organization, which has been supported entirely by volunteers who give their time to organize and run the campaign, and by the thousands of donors who provide the purses and backpacks and items that fill them, is being encouraged by its growing number of supporters to attain registered charitable status.
"The Fill a Purse for a Sister campaign has grown into a national campaign and it is time to take the next step in our evolution so we can help those in need even further," Freedman said.
The funds raised will go toward the legal costs of applying for and securing charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency.
"With the wonderful donations of personal care items from companies such as Proctor and Gamble, as well as others, we understand that having a registered charitable status will help us approach other organizations, businesses and individuals across Canada wishing to help women and youth in shelters," she said.
To make a reservation for the Victorian Afternoon Tea, or to make a donation to the Fill a Purse for a Sister campaign, contact [email protected] by Monday, May 20. Tickets are $30 cash per person.
