As first lady of the Orak Shrine in Michigan City, Olivia Mitchell wanted to host a fundraiser that would celebrate the creativity of the members, so she organized the First Lady Olivia’s Tea event to raise funds for playground equipment.
This event will be held Saturday. It begins with a 10 a.m. private tour of the Barker Mansion, 631 Washington St. The tea will take place at noon the Orak Shrine, 3848 Frontage Road.
Mitchell explains, “This is the first time we’re doing this and so we are very excited. The tea will feature tables set in different themes. We have some members that have a lot of beautiful collectibles and dishes so it’s a way for them to display them, and it will introduce people to what we do while raising funds for the Shriners Hospital. We want the public to be more aware of what we do and who we are.”
The mission of Shriners International is to construct state-of-the-art hospitals to treat children with severe burns, orthopedic conditions, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate.
Table themes will include formal traditional tea settings, and will include: Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, elephants, the color pink, and birds and nature.
Mitchell added, “And then some are keeping their theme a secret until the event because it’s a little competitive and it’s a lot of fun.”
Barker Mansion will open its doors to guests for a 90 minute tour prior to the tea.
“We are hoping to do this each year, but each year we have a new president and new first lady so it will be something that they may keep going. We have a few other temples who will attend the tea from Chicago and Peoria,” Mitchell said. “It’s a way to showcase our shrine.”
Shriners Nobles will be serving at the tea, wearing fez, dark suit, or tux. In addition to tea, treats will be served.
“The three women running it are the top three bakers and cooks in our shrine so they are using all of their own recipes and everything is all homemade,” Mitchell said.
Heather Augustyn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
When: Noon, April 25
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Where: Orak Shrine Temple, 3848 Frontage Road, Michigan City
Tickets: $25
Information: 219-872-0482
First Lady Tea Fundraiser