Anniston City Schools Foundation will hold high-tea fund-raiser

Rachael Scarborough King
Star Staff Writer
Published: August 16, 2006

For anyone who has ever dreamed of returning to the era of high tea and white gloves, the Anniston City Schools Foundation may provide the chance at its fund-raiser Saturday.

The foundation will hold a benefit at the Classic on Noble restaurant featuring tea, a table-setting contest and a fashion show.

Catherine Chappell, director of the Anniston City Schools Foundation, said the goal is to raise $5,000. Each plate costs $50, or attendees can sponsor a table of eight for $350.

“I just thought it would be something different for us to do as a fund-raiser, something that people would want to support,” Chappell said. “It’s a different twist, more like an elegant type of setting where we are asking the ladies to dress in their hats and gloves, just like they did at the original high tea.”

Chappell said she is expecting mostly women, but that men are welcome, too. About 51 tickets have been sold so far, and they can also be purchased by contacting the Anniston City Schools Foundation or at the door.

The participants will compete at setting a traditional high-tea service. Chappell said there will be prizes for first, second and third place.

“I don’t want to reveal the prizes yet, but I’m sure they will be very pleased with them,” she said.

The Anniston City Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides supplemental education programs, such as tutoring and scholarships, for students in the Anniston school system. Chappell said this is the foundation’s first big fund-raiser in several years and that she hopes to make it an annual event.

The fashion show element of the event will feature clothes from Wakefield’s department store shown by six models.

“They will be some of the latest trends that will be available at Wakefield’s this fall,” Chappell said.