Holiday tea party benefits homeless population

Special to Leader-Press

More than 500,000 people are homeless in America, according to a report released in September by the Council of Economic Advisers. But, the cities of Copperas Cove and Killeen step forward to take care of their own and make the holidays brighter for those without a roof over their heads this winter season. The Copperas Cove Five Hills royalty partnered with Project Spread a Lil’ Love to raise funds and collect warm blankets for Killeen’s homeless population through an inaugural holiday tea.

Young Miss Five Hills Angelica Torres and Preteen Miss Five Hills Kaydence Roberts co-hosted eight guests at the event.

“The holiday tea event was so much fun interacting with the ladies at the table since we got to know a little bit about each one of them,” Torres said. “Seeing all the creative tables was just amazing. Knowing all of the proceeds went to a great cause made the event even more enjoyable.” 

Five Hills Ambassador Briana Liles, Senior Ms. Five Hills Donna Higgins, Junior Miss Five Hills Hayley Sawyer, Torres, and Roberts served as table co-hosts in addition to donating blankets, assisting with door prizes, helping selecting the best decorated table and more.

“The tea was decorated so beautifully. All the tables were created so uniquely,” Liles said. “I enjoyed being able to help with pouring the tea and water and anywhere I was needed. I was able to donate a couple blankets that made me feel I helped a little more for those in need.”

Roberts said it was “really a treat” attending the holiday tea party, knowing that it benefitted charitable causes. 

“The tables were so amazing with all the different themes. My favorite was the one that was decorated with a Harry Potter theme. It even had a real train going through the mountain and each guest got a wand and a party popper favor,” Roberts said.   

The tea party provided an opportunity for Sawyer to work within her platform of service of helping the homeless.

“Helping host at the holiday tea was a wonderful experience knowing we were also helping the homeless. Getting to be a part of this beautiful event was so rewarding,” Sawyer said. “There were so many prizes and gifts that were raffled during the tea and I was lucky enough to take home a cup with a warm cozy for my hot chocolate. It was a sweet way to start the holidays.”

Motivational speakers, clothing stylists, cake decorators and floral arrangers shared holiday tips with the guests. Through a random drawing, Liles and Roberts were chosen to compete in a cake-decorating contest.

“It was exciting as we tried to replicate the cake in just seven minutes as everybody cheered us on,” Roberts said. “I was excited to come in second place and we even got to take our cakes home.”

Liles placed third as she struggled with opening the packaging of some of the ingredients needed to decorate the cake. 

“I really appreciated Kaydence (Roberts) who helped me more than ever because we were competitors in this contest, and she still didn’t think twice to help me out. That is what pageants are about, building sisterhoods,” Liles said.