Virtual Literacy Tea Party To Be Held Sunday

For the better part of a decade, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor has held a big Springtime celebration in March at John Bapst Memorial High School. This "Literacy Tea", as its called, has not only ushered in the change of season, and given area kids and grown-ups alike an excuse to get dressed up and have a really cool Tea Party, it's also served as a fundraiser for this organization. And it's an organization which has helped so many local folks improve their reading skills.

I've been lucky enough to attend a few of these Tea Parties with my girls. It's actually been something they've looked forward to for the past few years. The tables are always decorated with special book themes. There are delicious snacks. And of course there's tea...in really fancy cups!

This year, however, because of the threat of Covid-19, and the recommendation for people not to gather in large groups, the Literacy Volunteers of Bangor have decided to get a bit creative, and have moved their 2020 Marvin & Sheri Glazier Literacy Tea to an online platform. While they may not be meeting in person, they still want families to enjoy a tea party, while also bringing awareness to the organization's great works. So they're inviting people to get dolled up in their Sunday best, break out the fancy snacks and teacups and celebrate--with a tea party at home.

According to the Literacy Volunteers of Bangor "Virtual Tea"  Event Page, organizers will be posting videos of read-a-longs from authors. They ask that families participate by sharing what they're doing at home, on their event page. "Then, create your own tea party in your home or with your online friends and post your photos on our Facebook page, using the hashtag #VirtualTeaLVB. Share with us what you’re reading, why you loved that book, your favorite tea flavor, the twirl of your tea dress, and why community and literacy matter to you. "

The event will be taking place from 3PM to 5PM. It's also a chance for people to donate to the cause, as a lot of the tutoring and support work the organization will be doing in the future will have to take place online.

"...We are targeting any of the fundraising dollars associated with this virtual tea party towards purchasing online learning resources for the students in our program, since they are not able to meet with their volunteer tutors. To help us purchase these new materials and licenses, you can donate at www.LVBangor.org/donate and write “Virtual Tea Party” in the memo."

Let's face it...many of us have spent the last few weeks stressed out in sweat pants. This might just be the uplifting break we all need. }
Cheers!