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Soroptimists make final push for High Tea

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With their sixth annual High Tea and Fashion Show a little over a week away and ticket sales slow, local Soroptimists are making a final push for their fundraiser that helps domestic violence victims.

“We were hoping for 300 to 400 (attendees), but have sold 212 tickets,” said Ginny Brown on Tuesday, who is co-chairing the event with Pam Warnock.

The fundraiser will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 5300 Grand Del Mar Court in Carmel Valley. Tickets are $100 — part of the price is deductible as a charitable contribution — and attendees are encouraged to wear hats since it is a traditional English high tea. Purchase tickets at HighTeaFashionShow.org.

The Rancho Bernardo and Poway Soroptimists International chapters put on the event together since proceeds go toward their combined project of assisting women and their children who are starting over after escaping domestic violence. For up to 18 months the clubs assist the women as they get job training or finish their education so they can get jobs that allow them to support their families.

Brown said the families are referred to the Soroptimists by Crisis House, which selects those the clubs can best help. Last year, they netted $63,000 through the tea, which let the clubs help four mothers. The help includes providing a furnished apartment, assisting with rent and mentoring the women as they rebuild their lives away from their abusers.

“It’s a hand up, not a hand out,” Brown said. “We do not make it easy for them and there are rules to follow.”

The clubs provide assistance for up to 18 months. By then, the women should be self-sufficient, she said.

Proceeds from the tea also go toward other programs the Soroptimists sponsor to help women and girls.

Brown said tickets in past years sold out several weeks in advance. But this year tickets have be sold slowly, likely due to several factors — including distance to venue and price increase — based on feedback members have received. In the past the event was held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, but the available dates it offered made holding the tea there not a possibility, so they picked a venue in Carmel Valley, she said. That led to them having to significantly increase the ticket price, going from $65 last year to $100 this year.

To offset the drop in ticket sales, she said the Soroptimists are bringing a new element to their silent auction that will feature more than 100 items. This year, those who do not attend the tea may bid and receive text messages when they are outbid during the tea. To register for this option, go to HighTeaFashionShow.org/register. The silent auction items are posted there.

The live auction will be limited to those present. Brown said there are some “amazing” items, including a $7,500 diamond bracelet and Catamaran dinner for 10 prepared by a personal chef.

As for entertainment during the tea, it will include a fashion show featuring designs by six Palomar College students in its fashion and merchandising department.

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