Peter Luongo, emcee of the final Christmas Tea by the Thank You For Caring Society, called it a “bit of a bittersweet day.”
Tables were packed in the main ballroom of the Cascades Casino Resort in Langley City on Sunday, Nov. 24, for the final tea, which brought the total amount the charity has raised during its 14 years to more than $500,000.
Marilyn Morgan took the podium with Karen Cameron, Diane Fox, Charlene Fassbender, Donna McCreadie, and Grace Stewart – the other organizers of the annual fundraiser – to explain it would be the last time for the annual event that encouraged attendees to dress up in their holiday finest.
"My mom Debbie Froese founded it with Charlene Fassbender in 2012," Morgan told the audience.
“What began as the annual Mayor’s Wives Tea evolved into this wonderful group of ladies beside me forming a society, the Thank You for Caring Society. For 13 years, this event has brought people together on a Sunday afternoon in November to support Langley families in need while enjoying a fun start to the Christmas season.”
“When my mom passed in 2020, these ladies beside me kept the tea going [even through the pandemic], Morgan said.
“They worked extremely hard to ensure we could still help those in need. The success of the annual tea is because of these amazing ladies who have given so much of their time and energy.”
Morgan also thanked “Kate, our accountant, who wasn’t able to make it, and behind-the-scenes ladies, Julie and Kaitlyn, who managed all the online presence.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the tea and what has been accomplished,” Morgan said, estimating it has helped hundreds through the years.
“After 14 years, we feel it’s time for something new, and the committee has made the difficult decision to make this our last Christmas tea.”
Morgan thanked supporters of the annual event.
“The success of the tea is because of you, the attendees, the sponsors, and the donors.”
Prior to speaking Sunday, Morgan revealed to the Langley Advance Times that their effort to help those in need will continue – in a different form.
“It will be our last event as a Christmas tea, but look for us next year to come up with something new and exciting,” Morgan said.
People can make donations to their website at thankyouforcaring.com for the Thank You for Caring Society, she advised.
“Also you can make donations directly to the Christmas bureau – who is someone that we support – Starfish Backpacks, Encompass, Langley Lodge, as well as multiple other ones that you can find on our website.”
