"Like a traditional tea, tiered plates will hold the tea sandwiches and desserts. It's all fancy and girly," said Jennie Straub, executive director, when describing the 13th annual Ladies' Tea and Auction that is being hosted by Pregnancy Resources at Cornerstone. The event will take place on Saturday, May 6, at Linville Hill Elementary School, 295 S. Kinzer Road, Paradise, Registration will open at 9:30 a.m., and activities will begin at 10 a.m.

All proceeds will benefit the center, which educates and supports women facing unplanned pregnancies. "We will give an update on what we do as a ministry and the new things that are happening at the ministry," said Straub. "Then, we will go into a traditional ladies' high tea."

Menu items, which will be prepared by Hillary Prickett from The Salted Apron, will include homemade scones with lemon curd and jellies, quiche, finger sandwiches and desserts.

A highlight of the evening each year is the table decorations. "Individual hostesses volunteer to decorate a table, and they invite their friends to sit at their table," explained Straub, noting that prizes are awarded to the top three tables. "The tables are beautiful; these people are so creative."

Last year, one of the tables featured a baby theme, and each napkin was folded into the shape of a diaper. Another table included a plant in a teacup for each of the guests. Some table hostesses bring their own teapots and cups and bake individualized cookies.

In addition to the food, the fundraiser will include a live auction. Among the items on the auction block will be tickets to Sight & Sound, a weekend getaway at a beach property, dinner vouchers and tickets to Longwood Gardens. "We get donations from the community like floral arrangements, wreaths and gift certificates (to local businesses)," said Straub. "We go to a local auction and buy potted flowers and hanging plants, and we auction those off as well."

Pregnancy Resources at Cornerstone is located at 5380 Lincoln Highway, Gap. The facility offers medical quality pregnancy testing and an ultrasound service to confirm viable pregnancies. Appointments are free and confidential. The vision of the ministry is to empower individuals to embrace life-honoring choices.

For more information, to host a table or to purchase tickets for the tea, visit http://www.pregnancyresources.org or contact event coordinator Kristi Martin at kri@pregnancyresources.org or 717-442-8694. The tea is open to women age 18 and older. Tickets will be available at the door.