Teddy Bear Tea Supports Teachers and Students

WALLA WALLA – Waitsburg students and teachers are often the pleased recipients of scholarships and mini-grants from the Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees Association. The awards are funded largely by the organization's annual Teddy Bear Tea.

This year's twelfth annual Teddy Bear Tea will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sat., Feb.24 at the St. Francis Catholic Church Social Hall, located at 722 W. Alder Street in Walla Walla.

The popular event features a four-course tea, a shopping area, coloring and reading corners, a silent auction, a photographer and a raffle for two hand-made bears.

Member Gwen Gobel said the retirees hope to award two $2,000 scholarships for college graduates to use while student teaching. The $200 mini grants are awarded in spring and fall to area teachers who are members of WWCSRA and can be used for student rewards, field trips books, or other activities.

The most recent mini grant recipients are: Kathie Warner, Touchet Elementary; Kathy Mason, Dayton; Laura Chabre, Prescott; Nancy Bickelhaupt, Waitsburg High School;Rebecca Wilson, Prescott;Susan DeRuwe, Prescott; Alicia Quackenbush, Pioneer Middle School; Barbara Brown, Wa-Hi; Denis Jausoros, Prospect Point Elementary; Linda Berg, Blue Ridge Elementary; Mary Cortinas, Sharpstein Elementary; Nichole Hansen, Davis School

Admission is six dollars, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the door, or Waitsburg residents can contact Joan Helm at 337-6318.