Valentine’s Tea supports African grandmothers

February 19, 2014 · 0 Comments

Seats were filled and the air was buzzing with lively conversation during the Valentine’s Tea at St. John’s United Church in Alliston, all while raising money for a great cause.

The Grandmothers Embrace group of South Simcoe hosted their sixth annual Valentine’s Tea this weekend, fundraising for their continuous support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign.

The foundation has funded more than 300 grassroots projects in 15 African countries, supporting community organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The grandmothers campaign in particular supports grandmothers in Africa who are raising children who have been orphaned by the disease.

Mary Abernathy is a member of the South Simcoe Grandmothers group, and says the money helps provide for all kinds of needs, from school uniforms to bicycles, and even basic needs like food and shelter.

“It’s a very good cause,” Abernathy says. “I think everyone can recognize how hard it is as a grandmother to care for young children full time.”

And African grandmothers are not only caring for one grandchild, but sometimes care for several dependants. One grandmother, whose story is featured in a Grandmothers Embrace pamphlet, has 15 dependents, including one grandchild who was born HIV positive.

The tea featured a silent auction with items generously donated by local businesses. Baked goods were also for sale, made and donated by members of the grandmother group. Handmade bracelets were also being sold to raise money for the cause.

The Grandmothers group was formed seven years ago, and has grown tremendously over the years. It now welcomes over 30 members and last year exceeded their initial fundraising goal for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

“We reached our goal last summer, we exceeded $100,000 in money raised to go to Africa,” says Abernathy.

Over 240 grandmother groups exist across Canada in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which was founded in 2006.

Grandmothers Embrace will be hosting a hot lunch on Friday, May 2 at St. John’s United Church in Alliston, the proceeds from which will also go towards supporting Grandmothers in Africa.

By Emily Wood

Photos by Emily Wood
SWEET TREATS ANYONE? – (From left) Members of Grandmothers Embrace Lorraine Jones, Margaret Smallwood, Liz Panighel and Mary Rintow helped at the sixth annual Valentine’s Tea selling homemade baked goods to help raise money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

FULL HOUSE – It was a full house at the sixth annual Valentine’s Tea, which supports grandmothers in Africa who are caring for young children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.

THAT’S THE SPIRIT – Jan Snell and Patsy Douglas had a good time selling tickets at the door, and were thrilled with the success of the event this year.

SOMETHING FOR THE ROAD – In case there wasn’t enough delicious treats to sample during the tea, homemade baked goods were for sale. Proceeds from these treats also support the Stephen Lewis Foundation, and the bake sale was very successful this year.