Choosing a beneficiary

We support various agencies that promote research and awareness specifically for ovarian cancer. This includes, but is not limited to, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition www.ovarian.org and its State Divisions, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance www.ovariancancer.org and its many Partner Members across the country, as well as, the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry www.ovariancancer.com and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund www.ocrf.org.

Invitations

Please use the postcard invitations available for download and be sure to note, as the “Beneficiary,” the agency that will receive your guests’ donations. Make sure to mail your party invitations so that your guests receive them in plenty of time - 2wks is a sufficient time frame for a simple party. If you choose to adopt a theme for your party, simply note this on the invitation in the blank spaces above or below the party details. If your party will be an elaborate affair (ie theme attire will be needed and/or guests will be traveling) allow 3wks to a month for your guests to plan.

Themes and Traditions

Whether it’s a Mother/Daughter theme, a formal Victorian Tea, or a casual thing around the kitchen table, a Blue Hydrangea Tea Party can be something everyone looks forward to each year! There are a number of helpful websites on hosting tea parties. If you put in “hosting a tea party” in your search engine you will find this to be true! Please take advantage of these as you plan. Then, contact the agency you plan to support and request educational and awareness materials to provide to your tea party guests. Complete the circle! But, remember to have fun and make your guests comfortable. This should be a joy not a chore. We want you to want to do this year after year!

Collecting the donations

Set up a clever collection table, where your guests can make their donations. It might be helpful to choose someone to collect each guest’s donation to assure that each check is made out correctly - payable directly to the beneficiary of your party with the words “Blue Hydrangea Tea Party” on the memo line at the bottom of the check. A decorative sign with this information listed is often helpful. Please refer to the Host a Party section for information on the importance of this step. Also, supply a sign-up sheet for those who would like to be on the Blue Hydrangea Tea Party mailing list for any future mailings.

Mailing your contributions

Please refer to the Host a Party section for information on mailing your party’s contributions. As you will see, we advise that you use a padded (10X13 or larger) envelope for safety and that you note on the outside of the envelope the letters “BHTP.” We, also, encourage you to include a note inside the envelope with the checks - It can be a very simple note to let the agency know about your efforts to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer through Blue Hydrangea Tea Party. You can include your name and where your Blue Hydrangea Tea Party was held. You can mention the total contribution you have enclosed. Also, you can include how many attended your party and any details you wish to share about your party. You may wish to have your party be in memory or in honor of someone, and it would be appropriate to acknowledge that in your note. It is not required that you send a note with your contributions, but at the very least, include a piece of paper with your name listed as a Blue Hydrangea Tea Party hostess and the city and state in which your party took place. Also, it would be appropriate and is encouraged that hostesses formally thank each tea party guest for their donation.

Reporting the total and the beneficiary to us

The process is not complete until you report your total to us.The success of Blue Hydrangea Tea Party depends on our being able to track the funds generated for ovarian cancer research and awareness from the event itself. You can email us your total and the name of the agency that received your donations. If you prefer, you can call us at 1-803-699-5534 with this information. You may also contact us at our mailing address, listed in the Contact Us section of this website. Treat us to some of your great photos, as well! We would like to publish these in the future.