LULING — St. Charles Women’s Club members are distributing more than $18,000 this month as part of a tradition of giving that stretches back five decades.

The money was generated through the group’s annual TeaCup Auction, where Co-chairs Pam Shepard and Sally Schexnayder report the social event raised $18,380.29.

This year’s event helped celebrate 50 years of the club’s existence and approximately 25 years of the TeaCup Auction.
Businesses and members donate items from jewelry to gift certificates to furniture to mini-getaways. Guests buy chances to win the items that are of most interest to them.

Everyone is a winner, group leaders said, because attendees enjoy a wonderful meal and time to socialize with old and new friends.

Club leaders said all of the funds are returned into St. Charles Parish to various non-profit organizations that enhance the way of life in the community.

Disbursements will be held this month.

Club member Carolyn Boyd said local nonprofits can request applications for financial awards through any member of the St. Charles Women’s Club.

“Names of organizations, contact person and email address is required and will be forwarded by the member to the Civic Committee,” Boyd said. “The committee handles all request and disbursements of funds that are made available through our fundraising events. Applications are available in March, and disbursements are awarded in May every year.”
Club member Anne Haydel said club members do not need to be from St. Charles Parish.

“We have members from far and wide, but any money raised is only distributed in St. Charles Parish,” Haydel said.

The club meets at First Union Presbyterian Church in Luling. For more information, call 504-495-2452 or email rallem2105@aol.com.

Next year’s TeaCup Auction has been scheduled for March 11, 2017, at the Jerusalem Temple in Destrehan.