The spectacular 6th Valley Tea was held on April 27 to benefit the Greenhorn Valley Backpack Project provide for area children. This event, originally planned to be an annual event, has been missing from the Valley for the last few years since the COVID restrictions halted it in 2020.
The 2024 Valley Tea was held at the Rye Home United Methodist Church in the Banquet Hall. Each tea table was uniquely set by Greenhorn Valley Backpack members and featured a different theme at each table The elaborate place settings combined with fresh flower centerpieces, fancy tablecloths and full room decorations made the fundraiser a delight. The many courses of delicious delicate foods completed the enjoyment of the formal event.
Barbara Hassell Smith, did a great job as the event hostess.
The ladies of the valley have missed the formal tea with all of its grandeur. This event is highly formal, giving the ladies a chance to wear their choicest finery complete with fancy hats. That is not something that ladies do every day in the Greenhorn Valley where jeans are far more prevalent.
Door prizes were given to those attending the tea between the first and second courses. Between the third and fourth course, a beautiful handmade quilt was auctioned off.
The Greenhorn Valley Backpack Project was started in 2014 by a small group of ladies who learned of the difficulty some Greenhorn Valley students had in obtaining school supplies.
Originally a backpack stuffed with pencils, paper, notebooks, pens or crayons, depending on the student's age, was given out to students in need. Teachers and school staff helped identify the students who needed supplies.
Later the group expanded to help provide warm clothing as well as traditional school supplies.
Many hope that the return of the Valley Tea carries forward as a tradition. The Greenhorn Valley ladies enjoy getting dressed up and putting their best foot forward to help students feel equipped with the materials they need to put their best foot forward in school.
