Foster children enjoy Royal Tea Party in Lodi
Dozens of lucky local residents had a magical morning this past Saturday. They gathered at Wine & Roses in Lodi to meet Tiana, Anastasia, Ruth, Maui and other princesses and princes from Disney’s movies and beyond. Then, they enjoyed a Royal Tea Party with their new friends, where they heard guest speakers and enjoyed delicious delicacies.
Best of all, it was for a good cause. All of the VIP donors who attended the Saturday morning event helped to pay for the same Royal Tea Party for a group of 35 foster children in the San Joaquin County CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocate — program.
“We provide dresses for them, royal attire. We provide them with everything they would need for a tea party,” said Muna Haddad of Love Unlocked, the local nonprofit that
puts on the dual tea parties each year.
Each of the foster children got an autograph book — can’t meet Jasmine and Mulan without getting proof, right? —and a crown of their own.
“The point of it is just to show them that they are royalty, and regardless of what they have been through, they are loved,” Haddad said.
Both the donor guests and the young royals from the CASA program got to visit 17 different stations, where they could meet a Disney, DreamWorks or Biblical character. They had the chance to make a wish at Snow White’s wishing well, learn about archery from Merida, and meet Esther, the Biblical queen who came from humble beginnings to save her people.
“Every booth represents something,” Haddad said. For example, Merida is an example of strength and the ability to conquer challenges, she said.
The boys weren’t left out — Maui, the Beast and Prince Charming all made appearances as well.
At the donor tea, the princes and princesses served the meal and dessert, but at the CASA version, they sat with each group of children as well.
Speakers included Beth Lambden from Inspire Ministries, a former foster youth who wanted to share her own experiences, and a secret donor who is working with Love Unlocked to sell a car that once belonged to Frank Sinatra.
“We’re so excited to be a part of that,” Haddad said.
The donor is in the process of restoring the car. Once he’s completed that work, he’s promised to auction it off and donate the funds to Love Unlocked, Haddad said. The group hopes to use the funds to build a shelter for its two greatest causes: foster children, providing a home for those who have aged out of the system, and human trafficking victims.
Love Unlocked was a calling answered by Haddad and some friends and fellow members of a long distance prayer group, she said. They wanted to do something to help children who might fall through the cracks otherwise.
“It was just a desire to speak truth and purpose into the lives of these children, (and let them know) that they have potential and hope,” she said.
The group saw plenty of resources for these children in academics and job training, but felt there was something missing. There weren’t enough people teaching the children that they were worthy of respect and that they had value.
“What I came to understand is that you can give people all of these tools, you can give them all these resources, but if they don’t believe there’s a purpose for which they were created, it’s a temporary fix,” Haddad said.
So the group formed Love Unlocked. The nonprofit works with other local charities to help children, primarily through two events: the Royal Tea Party to support the county’s CASA program, run by the Child Abuse Prevention Council; and High Heels, High Hopes, a girls’ night out event to help victims of human trafficking.
“We saw that there was a need, and that there were people in our community willing to give their talents,” Haddad said.
For more information about Love Unlocked and its events and fundraisers, visit www.loveunlocked.org. New members are welcome, and the website includes information on how to join.