This time of year it is easy to get caught up in the "have to do's" that we forget about the "like to do's."  I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things to do is grab a book, a cup of hot tea and sit in a quiet place and read.  What's even better is to get together with friends who have read the same book and talk about it.  

Cheryl Beck took this simple pleasure to another level when she created Tea Party Angels, a non-profit organization that encourages moms and daughters to host tea parties with friends to raise money to help educate girls across the world. She was inspired by the books Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and Leaving MIcrosoft to Change the World by John Wood.   Funds raised go to one of four international charities:  The Central Asia Institute (started by Three Cups of Tea author, Greg Mortenson), Rooms to Read, The Orphaned Starfish and Miracles in Action.

Simply visit the website and order a tea party kit.  It comes with everything you need except the food you'd like to serve.  Get your daughter (or granddaughter, niece, cousin, etc.) to make the invite list and prepare the invitations. Set an amount you'd like each guest to raise as entrance to the event.  At the tea party, girls will learn more about the organization behind the concept and watch a short video about the work it (and now they) is involved in.  They are asked to share what they did to earn the money to attend.  Of course, you can talk about books, too!

The idea captured the interest of celebrity model Christie Brinkley.  You can watch a short video with her and her daughter on the website, and is probably similar to the one shown during the party.

So the next time your daughter wants to have friends over, think about turning a social event into a socially responsible one.  Happy reading!