The Fourth Annual Tea Party fundraiser hosted by the Royal Neighbors of America Riverbank Chapter 9890 was staged at the Community Center in Riverbank on Saturday, May 6. This event raises funds for the Chapter’s annual veteran’s luncheon that will be held on Nov. 4 at the same place and to support Riverbank Christian Food Sharing.
Royal Neighbors chief Diane Talbert and her team of members and volunteers work very hard to make the tea party memorable and fun. Total funds raised at the event were approximately $1900.
There were 80 tea party guests that attended the event and seven volunteers, including six Job’s Daughter members, and one Riverbank High School student, Emily Helm, that helped the events success.
Several ladies that attended the event participated in true tea party fashion, wearing beautiful dresses along with a hat to match for their afternoon of tea and a light meal.
The tables were decorated in the Beauty and the Beast theme like the plates and a red rose in a glass in the center. There were a variety of teas available including wild raspberry hibiscus, licorice, pomegranate, or the original black tea to name a few.
The menu offered to guests included a variety of finger foods like egg salad sandwiches, mini cheesecakes, chicken salad croissants, artichoke jalapeno brochette, cucumber sandwiches, and kiwi dipped in chocolate.
Raffle tickets were available for guests to purchase and there were over 68 raffle prizes to choose from. Each tea party guest received an entry for the three door prizes as well, which were a patriotic wreath donated by Royal Neighbors member Kiran Prasad, an orchid by member Marianne Lynch and the Oakland A’s gift pack donated by the Flocker’s Relay For Life Team.
Most of the prizes offered in the raffle were donated by members and included jewelry baskets, wine baskets, glasses, home décor, and children’s items like dolls, tea party accessories, wind chimes, games and more.
There was homemade jelly and jams available for purchase, cork magnets, herbs like basil and thyme, and candy.
New to the event this year was the addition of some musical entertainment by “The Stompers.” They played for guests throughout the event and at the end performed the Beauty and the Beast song.
The photo booth was provided by the Royal Neighbors Chapter this year to keep the funds raised in house. Pictures were available for purchase for $5 and those that took the pictures at the ‘castle’ photo booth/backdrop were able to get their prints right away.
The Veterans Luncheon will be held on Nov. 4 and will be the Chapter’s 10 year anniversary.
“Best thing to me was the overall enthusiasm of our guests,” stated Talbert. “All food served was prepared by our members.”
