Local charity raising funds for African AIDS support
The local chapter of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers charity group continues to call on the community’s support to raise funds for struggling children in Africa.
All of the funds raised by the group are sent to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, who in turn passes on 90 per cent of every dollar directly to the numerous community-run programs and initiatives that the Foundation works on overseas. The Foundation has over 1,700 initiatives in 15 different African countries that work to support families struggling in the aftermath of AIDS. The goal of the organization is to help families who have been decimated with AIDS-related deaths, leaving grandparents raising sometimes several children while dealing with their own health problems. Alongside the counseling and health-related supports, the Foundation also works to ensure that women and girls can stay in school, have access to food banks and medicine, and have support regarding sexual violence.
The Grandmothers campaign is the fundraising branch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, with over 200 groups in Canada who have raised over $33 million since 2003. The Moose Jaw chapter began in 2006, and has collected over $34,000 over the years.
There is a handful of upcoming events set out for this year, including the recent steak supper that took place on Sept. 14. Member Marilyn Cropp Wall hopes to see them all go well.
The group has got a raffle going on, with tickets priced at $2 and prizes like a queen-sized quilt, gift certificates, and a certificate for free car washes available to win. Bake sales, craft sales, and even holiday-themed events are on the group’s to-do list throughout the year. The Moose Jaw Grandmothers branch is also planning a fabric sale in the spring and could use help planning and setting up the event.
Volunteers are always needed and welcome, said Wall, admitting that some fresh ideas could help the group immensely.
“Some people latch onto the idea that the name is Grandmothers to Grandmothers and think it has to be a woman, has to be a mother, has to be a grandmother,” said Wall. “But no, any caring, responsible adult can join and help.”
Things as small as helping sell tickets to events, making up posters, or bring some crafty skills to the table for future sales is all the group is looking for in their volunteers.
Wall said the group has a personal goal to raise $5,000 this year, a task that could use some support from the community. “That would be a wonderful goal for us to strive for because we’re a small group. Small groups can make a difference,” said Wall. “We would love to have more people involved.”
The group meets once a month at St. Aiden’s Church at 1:30 p.m. and the door is always open to new faces, said Wall. The next monthly meeting will take place on Sept. 23. Stopping by a meeting is an easy way to get involved with any of the fundraisers the group is working on, as well as calling either 1 (306) 693-3848 or 1 (306) 693-4496 for more information.