A high tea fundraising event raised tens of thousands of dollars for a child and youth advocacy centre for victims or witnesses of abuse.
The Hearts and Teacups Fundraiser raised a total of $20,661 for Alisa’s Wish, a program of Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Community Services.
It’s a program that helps all children and youth in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and Katzie First Nation’ who have experienced or witnessed physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
There were 171 people who attended the inaugural event that took place at the beginning of May at Meadows Gardens Golf Course in Pitt Meadows, organized by Sandi Temple and Dr. Ursula Luitingh.
Cindy-Lea Stephenson, owner of T’s Once Upon a Tea Leaf, who, with the help of her daughter, Taryn Stephenson Thoews, created a new, unique tea blend specifically for the special event.
Myriah McGill with Community Services said she was taken aback by how much heart, energy, and generosity went into making this event such a success.
“To everyone who helped organize, volunteer, sponsor, donate, and participate, thank you! Your support will help local children and youth access the support they need to heal,” she added.
Alisa’s Wish is a program that provides a safe place for children and youth up to 18-years-old, who are victims or witnesses of abuse to tell their stories to police, or Crown council, in a warm and welcoming environment, rather than having to go to the RCMP detachment or face the accused in court.
In January alone, 14 children went through and accessed the services at Alisa’s Wish, said Temple, both a founder and organizer of the new high tea fundraiser.
Alisa was a child abuse survivor who not only had to endure the suffering of abuse, but also the emotional trauma that followed when accessing the disconnected support services available at the time.
There are two forensic interview rooms in the facility, a monitoring room where cameras are discreetly placed for the RCMP and other agencies to be able to watch and listen to an interview, and a remote testimony room where Crown council can meet with the child or youth, along with Victim Services workers.
The centre also provides wraparound services to victims and their non-offending family members.
At the fundraising event there was a live and silent auction, a 50/50, live entertainment, and tea-infused cocktails at the bar.
Treena Innes was the emcee, Maple Ridge Florist provided the flowers, Anita Alberto donated her time to do the pictures for the event, and Jesse Sidhu provided DJ services.
Guests at the fundraiser were also be able to purchase a weighted stuffed toy to give to a child needing the services at Alisa’s Wish.
Every child who goes through Alisa’s Wish receives a stuffed animal and a quilt, donated to Alisa’s Wish by the Ridge Meadows Quilters Guild and also Legacy Quilters.
For more information about Alisa’s Wish go to: https://www.alisaswish.com/.