Campbell River’s inaugural Spring CommuniTEA Party has sold out just one week after tickets went on sale.
Set for May 4 at Stonehouse Teas, the fundraiser will benefit the Campbell River Community Foundation, with proceeds supporting local charities through the Foundation’s unrestricted Community Grants program.
Attendees will enjoy an elegant afternoon tea, a blind auction, raffle, and plant sale — all made possible by generous contributions from local businesses.
"We are so thrilled by the swift and enthusiastic response from the community. This event is hosted by Stonehouse, but it’s not about Stonehouse, it’s about the foundation," says Christine Lilyholm, Stonehouse Teas owner and party organizer.
"As a business, we are asked so frequently for donations to events, which I love supporting, but I know that when I give to the Foundation, it gets redistributed back into the community and benefits everyone. It helps take the decision-making out of it for me. When I support the Community Foundation, I know I’m supporting Campbell River.”
Foundation executive director Michaela Arruda says the event showcases the power of community-driven philanthropy.
"Three years ago, we approached Christine to collaborate on a tea sachet that we could give to others as a small gift. We came up with the Chocolate EndowMINT Tea – a play on the Endowment Fund. Since then, Christine’s passion for the Community Foundation has grown and she’s supported us in so many ways. She also sells the EndowMINT tea at the store and pays forward a portion of each bag to the foundation, she’s started her own Stonehouse Endowment Fund that supports the unrestricted grants, and now, we are super excited about the CommuniTEA party."
All profits from the CommuniTEA Party, generated from ticket sales, blind auction bids, raffle ticket purchases, and plant sales, will be endowed with the Campbell River Community Foundation. This vital program provides funding to a wide range of local charities and non-profit organizations, addressing diverse needs within the Campbell River community.
