Tea for Recovery
(Featured photo: Marsha Williamson, CEO with Event Chairs, Dr. M. Joan Terry and Rev. Tiffany Wright)*
On Wednesday, June 22, Dallas 24 Hour Club hosted their inaugural Tea For Recovery presented by the family of Steven and Jennifer Reynolds inside the historic Alexander Mansion on Ross Ave. The fundraising concept of an Afternoon Tea was imagined by Dr. M. Joan Terry and her daughter, Rev. Tiffany Wright who both share a love for this age-old tradition.
As guests entered the estate they were greeted with a live performance from Steinway Artist, Stephen Nielson. Attendees in their Sunday best sipped iced coffee provided by Michael Wyatt of Full City Rooster Roasting Coffee Studio and admired everyone’s hats. The party moved upstairs to the ballroom where Afternoon Tea was shared with tea sandwiches prepared by Chef Jason Martin, scones and sweets provided by Ben E. Keith Co, Central Market, La Duni Baking Studio, Dude, Sweet Chocolate, Cavallini, and Wackym’s Kitchen. The tables were decorated with beautiful tea pot florals by Libby Albritton. Terry Kranz provided front of the house management. Highland Park and Shelton students served as The Flower Girls of The 24, setting the tables and contributing many hours to set up and take down.
Event Chairs Dr. M. Joan Terry and her daughter, Rev. Tiffany Wright shared their family’s personal journey through addiction. The pair spoke passionately about a family member who has gone through the program of Dallas 24 Hour Club and had his life changed beyond belief. Their loved one will graduate from The 24’s sober living apartments, Tillman House, this August when he leaves to complete his degree at Texas Tech University. With only six hours left, he will graduate with his bachelor’s degree at the end of this year and begin his Master’s Program. They spoke of their gratitude to have their loved one back and they attribute his success in recovery to The 24. LaShunda Duty, Dallas 24 Hour Club alumni, also shared moving testimony about her introduction to drugs and alcohol at 4 years of age, her descent into addiction in her 20s, losing her children and family support in her 30’s – and how a chance encounter with a stranger at a bus stop led her to The 24 where she was able to turn her life around. Today, LaShunda is in recovery, has her family back and works full-time in the recovery field helping others find hope through the program taught at The 24.
Funds raised from this event will assist Dallas 24 Hour Club in their continued mission to provide transitional living, support services and essential life skills for homeless alcoholics and addicts, so they can embrace long-term sobriety and become contributing and self-supporting members of the community, as well as provide operating funds for Friends of The 24, the alumni group of Dallas 24 Hour Club. For more information, visit https://www.dallas24hourclub.org/
*Photos Ed Lazano
(This Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene courtesy Dallas 24 Hour Club.)
