Events

Girls Just Want to Have Fun Tea Was Big Hit
By Lynn Curtis
posted April 6, 2004

The 2004 Girls Just Want to Have Fun Tea held Sunday at the Chattanoogan Ballroom was a smashing success and a most significant fundraiser for the Children of Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund.

The tea raised approximately $20,000 for students nationwide who have had a parent with breast cancer.

The 2003 Tea provided enough funding to award 14 national scholarships to children who had lost a parent to breast cancer, so founder, MaryEllen Locher and her all volunteer staff decided to open the scholarship applications up to students who suffer the same financial devastation through the breast cancer treatment process with families who suffer even more from the death of the loved one.

Local oncologist Dr. John McCravey and his family made the donation to create the Dr. John McCravey Family Scholarship to be awarded to the fund's first child of a survivor. Dr. McCravey lost his father to cancer and is a cancer survivor himself. His mother, Helen, and his sister, Dr. Martha McCravey, are both breast cancer survivors.

Darious Kirksey, local graduate of the Howard School of Technology, was awarded the scholarship by McCravey family matriarch, Mrs. Helen McCravey. Darious is a student at Middle Tennessee State University pursuing a career in graphic design. His brother, Arlyce, made the trip from Georgetown University School of Law to see his brother receive the scholarship and honor their mother, Zabra Kirksey.

Brittany Christian, daughter of Barry Christian and breast cancer patient Karen Topping, also received a survivor's scholarship at the tea. Brittany is a senior at Soddy Daisy High School. Her mother, Karen, was first diagnosed with cancer when Brittany was three years old. Though going through chemotherapy now during a reoccurrence Karen was on hand to support her daughter.

Ms. Christian's acceptance speech was quite moving, as she now understands the responsibilities of a parent because of her caregiver role reversal with her mother. It is a powerful statement for a child to recognize that, and even sadder, that one must.

Even with the celebrations of the scholarships, but the sadness of the disease that qualifies the students, the participants of the Girls Just Want to Have Fun Tea had an absolute ball. Keynote speaker Haywood Smith, author of The Red Hat Club, was funny in telling how she came from writing romance novels to the novels she now writes. She related her life experiences to all who have gone through life’s ups and downs including divorce and illness, as her own sister is a survivor of breast cancer.

With Ms. Smith as the speaker, the local chapters—and there are many—of the Red Hat Society came out in their full regalia to support both Ms. Smith for the book signings and to support the Children of Breast Cancer Scholarships.

Comedy Troupe RUNS WITH SCISSORS entertained the 12 and under guests, while the adult ladies were entertained by Haywood Smith. There were many corporate sponsors of the event, without whom it would not have been possible, including Comcast, Clear Channel OUTDOOR, UnumProvident, Siskin Hospital Lymphedema Program, Chattanooga Plastic Surgery, Specialists In Plastic Surgery, Dr. Maurice Rawlings, Jr., Memorial Hospital, Hospice of Chattanooga, Douglas Design and Development, University Oncology, Dr. Elaine Galindez, Dr. Anita Thomas, SunTrust Bank, Wig Palace, Shire Facial Plastic Surgery, Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, Dr. Susan P. Raschal, Dr. Sylvia Krueger, Chattanooga Brick and Tile, Service Heating and Air, Brian Kelly Realty Center, Access Pharmacy & Pink Petal Boutique, Heritage Funeral Home, Erlanger Medical Center, Solace and About Face.

Photo by Lynn Curtis David Burd of Service Heating & Air enjoys the Corporate Sponsor perk of meeting Red Hat Club author Haywood Smith.

The stunning handmade table centerpieces were wire baskets filled with flowers and moss made in the shapes of teapots, teacups, shoes and purses that sold for $10 to $20. Designer Robin Hays was truly taken by surprise at their popularity and the monies raised for the students by the donations offered up for them. Event co-chairs Bellinda Nabors and Elaine Giardino commented, “ We were just so overwhelmed at the sell-out crowd and having to add 40 extra seats at the very last minute.”

Karen Schaerer headed up the Silent Auction that raised thousands also, and displayed the auction items so that everyone felt they must have something as a memento from the tea. The numerous donations from local businesses and artists for the Silent Auction and door prizes left guests truly thrilled with their winnings, and every guest left with a cup full of party favors. It was without a doubt this spring's most festive gala.

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