Ten years ago a few older local women decided to dedicate themselves to raising money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation that funds projects that help destitute African grandmothers raise their grandchildren, their own children lost to the AIDS pandemic.
Called Victoria Grandmothers for Africa, this hardy group now numbers about 100 grandmothers who have been responsible for raising nearly $1 million for the SLF’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
These older Victorians’ lives are in turn enriched by the pride and sense of accomplishment of raising such a huge amount of money.
Several VG4A working groups achieve their many successes. The Sales and Crafts group creates and sells crafts such as sewing projects, art cards, baking and knitting. Chocolate truffles are also hugely popular.
Many grandmother groups across Canada host “Stride to Turn the Tide” walks. Victoria holds their “Stride Walk” every June. Every second spring the grandmothers host an African dinner that draws about 300 guests who enjoy African food and bid on silent auction items that businesses and individuals have donated.
Victoria Grandmothers’ biggest event is its annual bicycle tour, now in its 10th year. In this event a maximum of 30 women over the age of 55 raise funds by cycling from Campbell River to Victoria in three days. Last year they added a one-day, 50-kilometre tour. This year both tours will end at the Legislature on September 11.
With the participation of cyclists and grandmother groups throughout the Island, cycling events alone have provided the SLF with close to $500,000.
VG4A also hosts one-off events such as a “learn to drum” evening, and this year small “double your money” initiatives organized by individual members have produced several lucrative projects and events.
In 2011 the grandmothers hosted a gala dinner for 600 guests, including Stephen Lewis as speaker and textile art auction. The Victoria Conference Centre event raised over $80,000 for the Grandmother to Grandmothers Campaign.
Anyone interested in joining this exciting group of grandmothers or attending an event, visit www.victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca, or email Carol Judd, carolmjudd@icloud.com.
