By Daniel Human

CNHI News Service

TIPTON -- A group of young women zipped about the conference room at the C.W. Mount Community Center, pouring tea for a room packed with supporters of the Tipton County Foundation’s Women’s Fund endowment.

As the tea pot-toting waitresses served Buckingham Palace Tea to the more than 150 women in the room, choir teacher Kelly Williams from Tri Central High School, clad as the Mad Hatter from “Alice in Wonderland,” played “A Very Merry Un-birthday to You!” — the character’s signature tune from the Disney movie.

The jaunty melody filled the room, putting an extra hitch in everyone’s step and smiles on their faces.

The song wasn’t the only thing the crowd was smiling about. The tea party was also a celebration of the successful fundraising efforts for the Women’s Fund, which is in its second year.

The Women’s Fund began in July 2007 with a $500 donation. That year, volunteers collected about $6,000. In 2008, fundraisers gathered slightly more than $30,000.

“It’s our fastest growing fundraiser by far,” said Abbie Smith, community development officer for the Tipton County Foundation. “... It was really exciting because we had women working our contacts the last day of the year, Dec. 31.”

The foundation created the endowment to advance women’s causes after a donation from “one good friend,” said Virginia Chambers, chairwoman of the foundation’s board of directors.

“We intend to create a stronger, healthier and more vibrant community where women are empowered to reach their goals,” Chambers said.

As she sipped on the English tea that had just been poured for her, foundation member Vickey McCorkle said she was impressed with the way the Women’s Fund has grown.

“I think (the endowment) is marvelous, and it could lead to more things,” McCorkle said. “I’m not the one who thought up the idea, but I sure am thankful for the women who did.”

This was the second year volunteers from the Women’s Fund organized the tea party.

The event was intended to update supporters on how the program is doing and announce the $1,000 grant the 2008 funds would create.

JoAnn McQuinn, chairwoman of the Women’s Fund committee, said this year’s grant would go toward creating the Tipton County Council on Aging.