Thomasville DAR Christmas tea called a success

Published 12:25 pm Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Thanks to two families who generously opened their lovely historic homes for the DAR 20th Annual Christmas Tea, the Thomasville Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be able to provide a $750 scholarship to a local graduating high school senior in 2017.

This was made possible by the kindness of Michelle and Bill Arwood and Barbara and Rick Piper, whose homes were toured as part of the event. This is the first time that the Thomasville DAR Tea was held in conjunction with Victorian Christmas and has included two houses. It was a huge success with an increase in attendance and income and the Thomasville Chapter DAR is grateful to the homeowners and the public for their participation and support, DAR officials stated.

The Thomasville chapter began holding this fundraising tea 20 years ago and it has been a favorite Thomasville tradition ever since. Over the years, generous benefactors, including some Thomasville DAR members, have opened their homes for the tour and hundreds of DAR members, husbands, prospective DAR members and friends have volunteered to make homemade treats and serve at the event. The tea has evolved and now includes wine in addition to the punch and special spiced tea. Many favorite Christmas homemade goodies are anticipated each year and there is often live music as the homes allow.

Battery Source, Chop House, Philmore Antiques & Gifts, Quirky Perks and Susina Plantation Winery were sponsors for door prizes and golf carts for the event.

The DAR Tea helps fund education scholarships through the Lois Elam Scholarship Fund, along with other local, state and national projects. The Thomasville Chapter DAR encourages education in the community with this cash scholarship and other activities in the schools such as a History Essay contest and Junior American Citizen contest. Money from the DAR Christmas Tea is used for the scholarship to assist a local graduating senior entering college for their first year to study history, historic preservation or related fields. Male and female applicants are eligible and are not required to have a DAR connection. For information on how to apply for this scholarship, contact a Thomas County or Grady County high school counselor or see below for DAR contact information.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education. The DAR motto is “God, Home and County” and membership is open to any woman over 18, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

Call Melody Porter at (229) 379-1609 for more information about membership and how DAR can help you prove your ancestry. You also may visit the chapter’s website or email thomasvillegadar@yahoo.com.