For more than 10 years, women in Oklahoma City who are deeply concerned about the needs of homeless and impoverished women and children have pledged to support rehabilitation, recreation and educational programs through City Rescue Mission’s annual Hearts of Hope Tea, raising more than $1 million!

Hearts of Hope began in 1999 with less than 20 women in the living room of Barbara Green’s home. Today, more than 600 women gather together each year at the National Cowboy Western and Heritage Museum to support the women and children living at City Rescue Mission.

“This is an exciting year for City Rescue Mission and Hearts of Hope Tea,” said Barbara Green, Event Chair. “To date, our accumulative total is over $1 million. What a blessing for the women and children whom we serve at the Mission, but also for the many wonderful women in this great city who have helped to make this happen. I am most thankful to be involved with Hearts of Hope.”

This year’s Hearts of Hope Tea was held Thursday, February 23, 2012 and brought in receipts of more than $161,000 surpassing the event goal of $160,000! The ladies enjoyed a delicious luncheon, while learning about the Mission’s services and the lives God has changed through the ministry. After the program, those in attendance were given the opportunity to contribute to a designated project for City Rescue Mission’s women and children’s ministry.

The program included a testimony from Marta, one of City Rescue Mission’s Bridge to Life graduates. She shared about her battle with drugs before coming to the Mission and how she has been transformed by the programs the Mission provides.

“God fought for me when I couldn’t fight for myself,” Marta said. “He heard my cries. I will always be grateful that God led me to City Rescue Mission – a place He uses to change people’s lives.”

The proceeds from this year’s event will be used to enhance the outdoor park area used by women and families staying at City Rescue Mission. In the past this event has funded the renovation of the women’s day room, a playground and recreation area, a life-skills learning center and the expansion of the women and families shelter.

“We were so blessed by the tremendous response of the women who attended the tea and are thrilled that we have raised $1 million through this event over the past 13 years,” said Rev. Tom Jones, President & CEO of City Rescue Mission. “This group of ladies is dedicated to making the lives of the women and children who stay at the Mission a little brighter.”