Valley People: Tea party helps Haiti

A tea party hosted by 12-year-old Marina Hallin, a Scotts Valley Middle School student, and Ava Hallin, 9, a Brook Knoll Elementary School student, raised $300 that was sent to the American Red Cross for relief efforts after the disastrous earthquake in Haiti.
The Hallin sisters wanted to set up a lemonade stand at a park after seeing the news about Haiti, but a rainy weekend spoiled their plan. Instead, they took the party indoors, and more than a dozen girls and their families stopped by to enjoy tea and give donations.
“We are very proud (of our daughters) and proud of their friends,” mother Teresa Hallin said.
Marina researched three possible charities, and before starting the party, the girls in attendance voted to send the donations to the American Red Cross, because they thought the money would arrive in Haiti the fastest through that organization.
St. Andrews installs new rector
Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves officially installed Blaine Hammond as rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Jan. 21. Hammond follows Kenny Andrews in the position.