KATHY EVANS PHOTOS
Members of the GFWC Ruskin Woman’s Club gather after preparing luncheon foods for last year’s Christmas Tea. From left are Laurie Lamb, Kathy Wallin, Carolyn Jones, Charleen Madsen, Judy Thompson, Barb Diana, Santa, Deb Adams, Deb Bonebrake, Katalyn Potter, Nancy Vance and Wilma Sheppard.
RSVP now for Ruskin Woman’s Club Christmas Tea
By LOIS KINDLE
One of the area’s most festive holiday events, the annual GFWC Ruskin Woman’s Club Tea, is slated for Dec. 7, and folks are already making plans to attend.
“(The tea/luncheon) is set in our historic clubhouse, which is beautifully decorated for Christmas,” said hostess Barb Diana, tea chairwoman and a 10-year member of the club. “It’s a wonderful event and a great way to start the holidays. And it supports a very good cause.”
This year’s theme is Toyland Christmas.
The GFWC Ruskin Woman’s Club will host its festive Christmas Tea Dec. 7 at its historic clubhouse, 503 U.S. 41 S., Ruskin. Tickets are $35 per person.
The event starts at noon at 503 U.S. 41 S., Ruskin, with a luncheon that includes hot tea, finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, homemade Devonshire cream and petite desserts. Every attendee will receive a handmade, take-home table favor made by club member Sharon Sweat.
There will be pre-event piano music, a 50/50 cash raffle and raffle of five themed gift baskets: movies, Christmas, Just for You, New Year’s and Gasparilla.
Tickets for the tea are $35 per person, and tables of eight are available for $280. Tickets for both raffles are $1 each, $5 for six and $20 for an arm’s length.
Table sponsorships are available for $50.
All proceeds from the tea will go to the Ruskin Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund, which benefits graduating seniors from Lennard and East Bay High schools who are headed to technical school, community college or a four-year college and women wanting to finish their degrees.
Last year, eight $1,000 scholarships were awarded.
If you’re interested in going, be sure to RSVP as soon as possible, Diana said. There’s seating for only 85 guests, and the tea is always a sellout.
To make a reservation or become a table sponsor, call Diana at 813-482-0350 or sign up at https://rwctealuncheon.eventbrite.com.
The Ruskin Woman’s Club is open to women 18 and older living in the South Shore area. For more information on the club or its activities, visit www.gfwcruskinwomansclub.org.
