Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Raise your pinky for St. Alban's

Some 150 women and men turn out for Holiday Tea benefit

Food, conversation and music were plentiful inside the parish hall at St. Alban's Anglican Church on Saturday.

The church hosted its ninth annual Holiday Tea.

"It gets bigger and better every year," said organizer Susan Benson. "We had people come from the Bay Area, people come from down south, Lemoore for this tea."

Homemade food ranging from scones to various types of finger sandwiches were prepared for the event by members of the church. Benson said sausage rolls and other hearty snacks were incorporated into the menu through the years as a way to attract more men to the Holiday Tea.

"We have guys in the room. Our first year we had three very brave men, but as word gets out that the food's good they come," Benson said.

Students from San Luis High School helped serve, as did children from the church.

"The kids from San Luis are an awesome help every year," Benson said. "It's funny, because part of the money we raise goes back to them in scholarships."

In addition to food, gift baskets were also sold at the event. A silent auction for other items was also held to raise funds. A pianist played songs of praise throughout the event.

Benson said the event raises $3,000 to $4,000 each year. She said what's not given out in scholarships is used to provide for needy families and assist the church with its operational costs.

Benson said she thought the Holiday Tea went well.

"It's unique. There's no place like this around here where you can go and have tea, which is a pretty traditional thing for women to do," Benson said. "I am very happy with the way it turned out."