ZEBULON - For the past four Christmas seasons, the Zebulon Woman's Club has provided a sneak peek into homes that have decked their halls with boughs of holly.

The money raised from its Christmas Home Tours has helped provide a scholarship each year for a deserving East Wake High senior.

This year, the club is combining efforts with another group to help another worthy cause; the Purple Shoe uses the proceeds from the sale of donated items to assist victims of domestic violence.

This year, the Purple Shoe is providing yuletide cheer and decorating a historic home that is on the tour. As tour-goers peruse the house, they get a chance to view and purchase the items found in three rooms of the house.

The historic home, the Barbee-Massey House - named for Dr. G.S. Barbee and Robert Daniel Massey, one of the founders of the former People's Bank - is at 216 W. Gannon Ave.

"The house is on the historic listing. It is just beautiful," said Linda Leonard with The Purple Shoe.

"We thought it would be great to decorate the home and put some of the furniture and housewares that we have for sale in the house."

The home is one of four included on the tour. The others include Chris and Tiffany Perry's home on Green-Pace Road, Tim and Sandra Richardson's home on Pearces Road and Carvin and Janie Strickland's house at Bunn Lake, explained Zebulon Woman's Club member Jenny Privette.

Not all of the homes are historical. "Some are homes of people who love to decorate, especially at Christmas, and welcome people into their homes."

Privette said the Zebulon Woman's Club began having the tour when it was looking for a new event to raise funds. The club heard about a nearby woman's club having a similar event and thought it would be great to do the same thing in Zebulon.

"It has been a success. People seem to really enjoy it," she said.

Privette said tickets, which cost $10, are required for the event and those who would like to take the tour can purchase them from a club member.

Privette discouraged people from just showing up at a home to tour it,.

The tour is Dec. 3 from 2-5 p.m.

Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event at the Zebulon Woman's Club building.

Maps and refreshments will be provided at the club the day of the tour.

"It is a worthy cause. We hope we have a good crowd that day," said Privette.

For more information, call Privette at 269-8370 or Peggy Wilder at269-8395.