Friends of Grassroot Grannies
NEWSLETTER
We appreciate your interest in the Grassroot Grannies and the work we do to support the
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Canadian grannies
supporting
African grannies
Hello, friends,
Another year promises to bloom bright for the Grassroot Grannies as our plans get underway for our three main fundraising activities. As always we appreciate your interest and support in what we are doing to help African grannies and their families.
Spring 2024 Issue
Judy Hansen, Karen Whiteside
Co-Chairs -Grassroot Grannies
Grassroot Grannies Update – What's in store for this year?
Sweet 16! Yes, this is the 16th year for our annual Plant Sale being held on the Saturday before Mother's Day - May 11, 2024 - from 8 a. m. to 12 noon at 65 Knudsen Drive, Kanata. Come early for the best selection of everything. We will be offering hardy perennials from our gardens, as well as herbs, and vegetable seedlings. There will be many Pretty Pots, special flowering plants made just for Mother's Day gifts. In addition, there will be two master gardeners on hand to answer any questions you have about your garden.
We will have our popular note cards for sale and a raffle of gift baskets full of interesting items. You won't want to miss this welcome to spring event! Looking forward to seeing you there!
This year we will be expanding the Market Place part of the event. As in the past we will be offering previously used, and in good condition, garden tools, gardening books and art. New this year will be more garden art hand crafted by the grannies such as concrete stepping stones, wooden hanging garden planters and spring burlap garden wreaths.
Stella Val with garden stepping stones.
The 15th Ride to Turn the Tide
The Ride Committee had its first meeting on January 30 under the leadership of our chair Stella Val to plan this year's ride set for September 4th and 5th. We discussed ways to attract more riders and made the decision to run a one day ride and a two day ride again. Meet and Greet rides will be organized throughout the summer. One of our members will contact a school to set up a visit for education purposes again. Finding new sponsors is an ongoing task. The next meeting will take place on April 3.
Report on Book, Crafts and Coffee Event, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023
Our annual fall Book, Crafts and Coffee event went through a metamorphosis this year and was a resounding success. In fact, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. It had a new name, a new format and a new venue! Under the capable leadership of Ute Webb the committee worked hard to broaden the appeal of our event. The morning event which ran from 9 to noon was held in the spacious St. Isidore Church Hall where guests could view the books, purchase gifts for Christmas and enjoy coffee and home-made baked goods with friends. Some people stayed for the entire morning.
Our event generated over $4000 for the SLF, the highest amount ever raised by this fundraiser. The Church was delighted to host our event and has invited us back this year.
SLF Update
March 8 was International Women's Day and has been deemed a day of celebration, power, resistance, and respect for those women who have shown leadership in fighting for health and human rights to end AIDS. The theme for IWD is Invest in Her and the day focused on sharing stories of seven African Grannies and three Canadians and the work they are doing. This theme will run through all the awareness-raising endeavors of 2024.
International Grandmothers Gathering in Winnipeg Oct. 24-26, 2023
This was the first Canadian gathering since 2006 and was the first ever hybrid on-line and in-person meeting with representatives from 11 African countries participating from afar. The African grannies reported that their lives are changing for the better, they have more confidence and skill in speaking out and that the governments in their countries are no longer ignoring them. The rallying cry from the African grandmothers is 'nothing about us without us'.
The 20th Anniversary Commemorative Solidarity Quilt
The Quilt has been well received wherever it has been and will continue to travel to towns and cities across Canada for all of 2024. It is presently in British Columbia.
Ottawa-Gatineau Regional Grandmothers Network (O-GRGN) Update
A Grannyfest is planned for June 5, 2024 at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa Church. The theme of the day will be Harambee a Swahili expression for All Pull Together. Meg French CEO of the SLF will be attending.
Grandparents Day, Sept. 8, 2024
This day will be devoted to raising national awareness of the Grandmothers Campaign across Canada. Ideas for its content and format are presently being discussed.
As we look forward to another productive year we appreciate all the support you continue to give us in our work with African grandmothers.
Choosing perennials, vegetables and herbs.
Sandi London, Chair of O-GGRN and Cathy Curry,
councillor for Kanata North with the quilt.
Dear Karen and Judith,
Next week, the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign team will be sending a special milestone recognition to every Grandmothers group that has supported the campaign in the last few years. As you know, this campaign holds incredible significance to the SLF and to our grandmothers in Africa and the organizations that serve and support them. The steadfast dedication of grandmothers groups has been and will always be a part of the strong legacy of the foundation. Your group is one of the Top 10 fundraising groups in the Campaign. And so, ahead of the other groups receiving their note of thanks from the team, I wanted to reach out to you to say thank you, and to provide you with a certificate of appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do.
Since 2006, the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign has connected like-minded women and their allies across Canada, Australia, and the U.K. as they stand in solidarity with grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa to confront the gendered impact of HIV and AIDS. This campaign has resourced the Stephen Lewis Foundation with the funds to provide meaningful and long-lasting support to women who have had to overcome barriers resulting from the HIV epidemic in their communities. The Grassroot Grannies have been an integral part of this movement since 2006, and we thank you for the time and effort you have wholeheartedly dedicated to this important work.
In 2023, 20% of the SLF’s annual fundraising revenue was generated by groups like The Grassroot Grannies with 90% of these funds channelled directly to bolstering the work of community-led organizations working alongside grandmothers in their communities.
Your group’s unwavering support is a vital part of this work. We would like to express our immense gratitude for your fundraising efforts over the years, even joining other Ottawa groups for gatherings and events. Congratulations on your 15th successful Ride to Turn the Tide!
Please know that your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed! We are without a doubt stronger together.
Yours in cause,
Niambi Martin-John &
The Grandmothers Campaign Team
A Special Milestone Recognition from the Stephen Lewis Foundation
