An afternoon of elegant dining, friendship and generosity will help support two important community causes.
The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa is hosting a High Tea and Charity Auction this month on Saturday, July 11, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
The fundraising event is being organised by the club’s new women and children health and wellbeing committee in partnership with Tauranga Days for Girls.
Committee member Maria Dangerfield said proceeds from the event will go towards refurbishing the playground at the Open Home Foundation’s Oasis House and providing supplies for the Days for Girls programme.
“Every ticket purchased and every bid placed will help support two outstanding causes that are making a real difference in our community,” Dangerfield said.
Oasis House provides family-based overnight respite care for children with high needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities, giving families and whānau valuable support while ensuring children receive quality care in a home-like environment.
The High Tea follows a recent Rotary working bee at Oasis House, where volunteers from Tauranga Te Papa Rotary and Days for Girls began phase one of refurbishing the facility’s outdoor area.
“The project brought together volunteers to improve the outdoor spaces for the children and families who use the facility,” Dangerfield said.
“But there is more work to do with funds raised, helping to provide specialised playground equipment.”
Guests at the High Tea can enjoy sweet and savoury treats while bidding on auction items. Photo / Kelly O'Hara
The High Tea and Charity Auction will also support Days for Girls, an international organisation that works to eliminate period poverty by providing sustainable, reusable menstrual kits and health education to women and girls around the world.
The New Zealand arm of the charity mobilises volunteers to sew reusable hygiene kits, while also helping to improve access to menstrual health information, enabling more girls to stay in school and women to participate fully in their communities.
Guests attending the event can enjoy sweet and savoury treats while bidding on auction items, with all funds raised supporting the two charities.
Dangerfield said the afternoon offers an opportunity for people to enjoy good company while contributing to projects that create lasting benefits for local families and vulnerable communities.
Tickets are $45 per person, and numbers are limited.
The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa is also welcoming new members and volunteers interested in joining its women and children health and wellbeing committee.
For more information, to make donations, or to purchase tickets, visit taurangatepaparotary.club or contact Maria Dangerfield at maria@nickdangerfield.com.