Tea is best served in the company of friends and the Turlock Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary is inviting members of the community to become part of their group at the annual membership tea event.
"We're a group of community women who care about making a better place for the community to live in," said club president Megan Patterson.
The Women's Auxiliary is an organization that supports the work of the Salvation Army through fundraising efforts and volunteer service.
The group donated a large portion of the money it raised last year to the Corps' after-school program and summer day camp.
"It makes a big difference in summer time for kids," said Auxiliary member Beverly Spielman. "It gets a lot of kids off the streets."
The club also helps fund minor maintenance and upkeep for the Turlock Salvation Army building. When the sound system in the Corps' gym went on the fritz last summer, the Auxiliary stepped in to get it fixed. The Auxiliary also buys new flags for the outside of the Corps building every six months and recently bought 90 new chairs to replace chairs that were falling apart.
Along with the Membership Tea, which is also a fundraiser, the Auxiliary hosts a Purse FUN-raiser in July and a craft faire in October. Spielman said the inaugural Purse FUN-raiser held last year not only brought in much needed donations, but appealed to the handbag lovers in the club.
The group helps out with the Halloween Safe Night Fair held in the Corps gym by running games and giving out prizes and ringing bells outside businesses during the holiday kettle drive.
The Women's Auxiliary works in conjunction with Salvation Army's advisory board and members volunteer to help out with their fundraisers like the golf tournament, clay shoot and the new Dancing with the Turlock Stars events.
The Auxiliary meets at noon the second Wednesday of every month in Room 101 of the Corps building on Lander Avenue. Every meeting includes a pot luck lunch, however, Spielman said newcomers should not feel obligated to bring any food as there's always plenty to go around.
Yearly dues for the organization are $35, $45 or $50, based on level of volunteer activity a member feels they can commit to.
The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary 14th Annual Membership Tea will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Salvation Army Community Center on Lander Avenue in Turlock. Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased by Feb. 18. Contact Bev Spielman for ticket information at 604-4282.
