Three fashionable daytime events are calling for stylish philanthropists to join them for fabulous fun with a dose of doing good: High Tea and Hats for Seniors First on May 15, Ultimate Garden Party for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida on May 21, and A Runway for Giving for Morning Star School on June 7.
High Tea and Hats
Celebrating the 10th annual event, High Tea and Hats draws 300+ guests and features a Sunday tea luncheon, silent and live auctions, exciting raffles, door and grand prizes, plus a new wine toss and photo booth. Guests are invited to compete for prizes in the hat judging contest and decorate/theme their tables. All funds raised support Seniors First programs like Meals on Wheels and in-home and personal care services.
“This is an important event for our programs and services. We are thrilled with the new location at The Alfond Inn and are excited with this year’s array of auction items and activities for our guests. It’s a full afternoon of entertainment, especially with the hat and table contests where everyone puts on their best toppers and decorates with a theme,” says Pam Lively, Seniors First board member and High Tea and Hats co-chair.
All types of hats are encouraged with prizes in the categories of Prim and Proper, Most Fascinating Fascinator, Most Creative, Mr. Tea (best male entry), Best Tea Set (best group entry) and Best of Show (The Harriett Lake Award). Join in the festivities Sunday, May 15, 1pm-5pm (silent auction, wine toss and champagne sales at 1pm; high tea at 2pm). For tickets and sponsorships, visit highteaandhats.com.
Ultimate Garden Party
To whom much is given, much is required. When people ask me why I support Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, I reflect back on this quote. I believe that in order to meet the unmet needs in Central Florida, it is essential to not only support financially but to also give of your time, your platform and your voice to bring awareness to all of the good that this organization offers to those who may need a little help. I, like anyone else, have had ups and downs, good times and bad. I’ve made poor choices, and I’ve made some right ones. As a mother of three little ones, there is nothing I would not do to ensure my children had food in their bellies. It is also a passion of mine to always be a part of the solution in making sure that people in Central Florida have the essentials to live.
Giving back through Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida means we’re showing people that acts of kindness do exist. People from all walks of life, age, race, religion, gender, etc. all come together to be of service in any way we can. I love being a part of that. Now, more than ever, we need the support of our donors to meet the need in our community.
On Saturday, May 21, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is hosting it’s first-ever Ultimate Garden Party presented by The Glenda G. Morgan Charitable Foundation to support the nonprofit’s mission of ending hunger. The event will be held at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando from 1-5pm, where Hunger Advocates will Escape to Elegance for an afternoon filled with live entertainment, delicious hors d’oeuvres and specialty libations. As the chair of this event, I invite you to don your most dapper attire and join us for this incredible hunger-fighting event. Your ticket purchase alone will provide more than 600 meals for our Central Florida neighbors facing hunger. I hope you will join us as we lean into our community to make a meaningful impact and help raise a million meals!
For more information about the event, including purchasing ticket sales, visit UltimateGardenParty.org.
–Carralyce Buford, Chair, Ultimate Garden Party Chair
A Runway for Giving
With a mission to support the Morning Star School, established in 1960 for children with intellectual disabilities, the first fashion show and luncheon was held in 1962, making this one of the longest running events in Central Florida. Hundreds of women have been members of the Morning Star Catholic School Auxiliary since then to ensure no child is turned away from the school.
Although the runway has moved to different locations throughout the years – from Cherry Plaza, Church Street Station Ballroom, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort, Dr. Philips Center, Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando, to its most recent location at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando – the focus has remained the same. In addition to the array of fashions from local retailers, the students shine in their own very special and inspiring performance leaving not one dry eye in the house.
A Runway for Giving will be on June 7 at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Guests are encouraged to arrive at 10:30 am to mix and mingle, bid on some fantastic silent auction items, and enjoy passed hors d’ oeuvres and mimosas. Then, enjoy a gourmet luncheon at 11:45am, followed by an impactful and enlightening program and fashion show. For information visit morningstarorlando.org.