It’s an event that is so popular and so well-attended that no advertising has to go forth with the exception of word-of-mouth.

And it’s here in Platte County. Although people came this year from Colorado, Nebraska, Washington, New Mexico, it was also well-represented by the local women of Platte County.

They began streaming into the Platte County Agriplex parking lot at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning and by noon, the lot was full.

It was the 20^th year that this “Tour of Tables” fundraiser went forth and most people don’t even realize the how or why it started, but love the décor, the gala and the fellowship. There were 31 tables all elaborately decorated in different themes.

Western themes, Scottish themes, author themes, game themes and yes even “I lost my marbles down at the farm” theme.

There were flowers and bright colors and nick-nacks that when people saw them, they ooohed and ahhhhed. It resembled an elaborate tea party with fancy china and cut crystal and even fine wine.

A cotillion perhaps, but one that would raise an awareness for education and provide money so that the phrase “wouldn’t it be nice to be able to go to college” would be turned into a real live dream come true.

The P.E.O. was founded in 1869 as a way for women to help empower women to be able to get an education, to have the money to fund it and to find a way to reach for the stars.

It stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization and it has been providing educational scholarships and grants for over 150 years. The women (and men) who come to support this cause every year have the chance to sew into our generation of dreamers, doers, thinkers, artists, creators, doctors and so much more.

The core values of the organization is in the strength of their virtues that they seek to build upon on behalf of women who have a need all over the world. Faith, love, purity, justice and truth. They stand upon these virtues in order to motivate each other to achieve their highest aspirations.

It was not just those buying tickets to the gala or the raffle tickets. It was the workers like presidents Rosalie Ruwart and Deanna Christensen, organizers and set up gurus Mary Shepard and Murel Connolly. It was the women who spent their time and efforts in setting the table for an elegant community tea.

It was the workers, the servers, the cooks, the drivers, the delivery people, the cleanup crew. For one afternoon tea, the work that went into this was phenomenal. It is not always publicized, nor do they expect that.

The local workers have chosen to stand upon the foundational virtues that will propel the next generation of women to greatness and THAT deserves this week’s standing ovation.