Fundraiser aids projects of the Hopewell United Methodist Women’s group.
The Victorian Tea is an annual fundraiser for missions sponsored by the Hopewell United Methodist Women, according to a group spokeswoman.
The event, which was held Saturday, gave local women the opportunity to gather with friends and chat over tea. Last year’s tea feature was a display of Victorian clothing. This year, the trustees of the Hopewell Museum provided a program on Victorian fans, including a special exhibit, now on display, at the museum.
The idea for the tea evolved from conversations during the group’s annual spring retreat (a yearly outreach for women in the community) at the Jersey Shore. It was determined that the historic Hopewell Railroad Station would be the perfect setting and reservations were made for the first tea in May 2004. Information for coordinating the tea was obtained from the mother of one of the ladies involved in a yearly Victorian tea fundraiser for the Caregiver Volunteers organization of Ocean County.
Thanks to the shopping skills of one of the women, the group now has all the essential items needed for their annual tea. New desserts and sandwiches are pre-tested and prepared by the women, while tea and food items are purchased each year through a gift certificate provided by the Pennington Quality Market.

