United Way Ladies Tea
- searcylivingads
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
By Jennifer Webb
When I was a little girl, I was quite the expert on tea parties, but as a grown woman, this was my first. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I looked at it on my calendar with equal parts excitement and nervousness. But I grabbed a hat, donned my Easter dress, and walked in with more confidence than I actually felt.
This ladies’ afternoon tea was a fundraiser to benefit United Way and sponsored by Michele Phillips & Company Realtors. Though I did not know exactly what would happen at an afternoon tea (other than the obvious tea-drinking), I did know about United Way.
United Way’s focus is on strengthening children, families, and the community. They do this by focusing primarily on providing programs to the community and grants to other nonprofits working in the areas of homelessness, mental health, and financial security, which are all intertwined. They take both volunteers and donations to make a difference in our communities. Simply put, their mission is “to increase the organized capacity of people in White County to care for one another.”
I walked into the Robbins-Sanford Center and gave my name. I had a brief conversation with Executive Director Blake Cole, who welcomed me and invited me to have a seat at one of the general admission tables. I looked around at some of the vendors and settled at a table in the back. My tablemates and I chatted like old friends.
Dr. Andrea Morris from Harding University, who also serves as President of the United Way Board of Directors, spoke and explained how it all worked. First, we got hot water for our teapots. They also provided cold water and cups. At each place setting, a teacup and matching saucer sat, along with a small pouch of various teas. After we got the water, we started making tea, and then a small snack platter of traditional “High Tea” fare was served, provided by Savory Catering.
We chatted comfortably at our tables until it was time for our guest speaker, former Searcy Mayor Belinda LaForce. She viewed her time as Searcy mayor and in the Searcy city offices as an opportunity to serve and to help people.
Some of the best times of her life were when she was serving as mayor, and she found that she learned more when she actively listened and then spoke what she had learned. She absorbed knowledge like a sponge and put it to good use, but more importantly, she developed relationships with people.
She gave this advice to other women, especially concerning leadership roles:
“Stretch yourself. Get out of your comfort zone. You can do anything. Learn to listen and put it into action. You’ll be blessed by it if you do. Be yourself. Be who you are. Be honest to a fault. Your heart speaks louder and speaks volumes.”
The tea selection itself was amazing. The food was delicious.
As the event concluded and I walked out, it was with a smile on my face, and I found myself wanting to linger longer. It felt like I had been transported back to a time inspired by Jane Austin decor, at an event that brought people of all ages and from all walks of life together to do good in our communities.
Read the full issue below.
