Three Rivers Tea Room collecting bras for charity
It’s the rare woman who doesn’t own a bra that just doesn’t fit anymore. Maybe you lost weight and it doesn’t offer any support, or maybe it accidently took a ride in the dryer and feels like a tourniquet; whatever the reason, chances are good you have one bra you’re never going to wear again. Instead of tossing it in the trash while you’re spring cleaning, consider taking that garment to “tea” – more specifically, taking it to Three Rivers Tea.
This Mothers’ Day, Three Rivers Tea in Cecil will kick-off its bra collection for Free the Girls, a non-profit organization providing job opportunities to women rescued from sex trafficking. Three Rivers Tea owner Harriet McCray explained that everyone dropping off a bra on May 11 or 12 will receive a chance for raffle prizes – and the more bras you donate, the more chances you receive. Chances can also be purchased for $1 each, with all money donated to Free the Girls.
According to the Free the Girls website, 27 million men, women and children are being held as slaves around the world, with 80 percent of them women and girls. After they have been rescued from prostitution, which many were sold into at a young age, the women go back to school to continue their education while earning money selling second-hand clothing. Free the Girls provides an opportunity for girls to make five times the minimum wage in their community by selling bras.
While the Mothers’ Day bra collection is the start of McCray’s efforts for the charity, she plans to continue to collect bras on an ongoing basis as a drop off location.
“This is a charity that tugs at my heart,” said McCray. “If you can help them get back on their feet, whether it’s here or in another country, it’s worth it.”
In addition to the bra collection and raffles, Three Rivers Tea is featuring a “Roses-N-Paris” theme this Mothers’ Day weekend. McCray invites local women to treat their mother, or themselves, to a five-course royal afternoon tea. Each guest will enjoy a relaxing chair massage and will receive a rose and gift to take home. Reservations are required.
Three Rivers Tea is located at 3256 Millers Run Road in Cecil. For more information or to make reservations, call 412-257-8780, or visit www.threeriverstea.com.