EVENTS and ACTIVITIES
We are thinking globally and acting locally. Many of our activities involve fundraising - all for the purpose of supporting the Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We also reach out into the community by speaking in schools, churches and retirement residences. Since 2006 Grassroot Grannies have raised $1,319,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
We are always very grateful to our community supporters.
Canadian grannies
supporting
African grannies
The Grassroot Grannies
Ride for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign
In Memory of Stephen Lewis
September 2nd 2026
Grassroot Grannies
Plant Sale and Market Place
A Super Venue for the event
An Amazing Achievement!
In the 17 years of the Ride to Turn the Tide, the Grassroot Grannies have raised $1,098,687 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The final total raised in 2026 was $61,213. Thanks to all riders both this year and in past years for making this tremendous achievement possible.
Fundraising Events for 2026
This year's ride took place on on Sept 2nd in memory of Stephen Lewis who passed away earlier in the year.
Two groups left from Bushtukah in Stittsville and headed to Richmond for lunch. The 80 km group took a longer route south to Baxter Provincial Park before loopng back to Richmond for lunch. The 50 km group cycled to Munster on their way to Richmond.
Both groups cycled the same route back to Bushtukah for the Welcome Home celebration.
Another successful Plant Sale and Market Place
raised $7512.00 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Our successful Plant Sale and Market Place relies on the hard work of grannies and others to dig up and pot plants, canvas for donations from the community, create beautiful crafts, and find gently used items for sale. Grannies and volunteers work hard to collect, transport and create the displays.
Happy Customers
Community Support
Behind the Scenes
The weather co-operated for the set-up and the sale.
Our Plant Sale and Marketplace would not be a success without customers. We have many return customers but also make efforts to attract new buyers. We advertise in Community Voice and Changing Tides, place signs around the community to let people know what's happening.
Grassroot Granies and Grand-Others setting up plants, the Market Place display and the tent the day before the event.
Donations and Sponsors
Loch March
Eagle Creek
Marchwood
Bushtukah
Loblaws
Home Depot
Beyond Beauty
Wild Bird Unlimited
Ritchie’s Feed and Seed
Lina Hallé & Bob Trenholm
Carmel Griffin
One of the most entertaing aspects of the Plant Sale and Market Place is our Raffle.
The Grassroot Grannies would like to thank local businesses and individuals for making our Raffle a success.
Gift baskets include rounds of golf, sports packages, Mother's Day gift baskets, and gift cards to local businesses.
The Raffle
Grassroot Grannies in front of the Raffle display
Plant Donations
The Grassroot Grannies would like to thank Carole and Phil Reilly and Liz Steele for donating many plants. As well many members of the Grannies nurtured seedlings and potted garden plants ro make the sale a success. The Grassroot Grannies would like to offer special thanks to the following local businesses which donated plants:
Ferme Lève-Tôt
Richmond Nursery
Ritchie Feed and Seed
Ramsay Creek Nurseries
Craft Sale nd Market Place Donations
Thanks to the talented crafters who spent many hours making items for sale in the Market Place. Our beautiful bird feeders and Welcome signs were the work of Bob Trenholm. Marg Terrett made the popular tea cup ornaments and Linda Connell and Deanne Ryan were responsible for many of the painted rocks. Many thanks to alll who worked to make this aspect of the day a success.
Two local Ottawa city councillors visited the Plant Sale and Market Place. Cathy Curry, representing Kanata North is a frequent attendee at Grassroot Granny events.
Jeff Lieper, councillor of Kitchissippi Ward and declared mayoral candidate also stopped by for a visit.
Fall Author Event 2026
Roy MacGregor, local author of 51 published books will be the featured speaker. He is a lover of hockey and has written books for both children and adults.
His earlier career included time at The Citizen writing about hockey and the NHL. A regular columnist at The Globe and Mail since 2002, MacGregor's journalism has garnered four National Magazine Awards and eight National Newspaper Award nominations. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was described in the citation as one of Canada's "most gifted storytellers."
His most recenty book is Paper Trails. Don't miss this opportunity to spend an afternoon with this local Kanata celebrity!
Click link to buy tickets. The Grassroot Grannies look forward to seeing you there.
Riders and supporters celebrating a successful ride at Bushtukah
80 km group on the road
All groups gathered at the gazebo at the Richmond arena for a great lunch.
Enjoying the Ride
Congratulating the riders back at Bushtukah.
Shannon Fleming, Karimi Ikuta, Leslie Wells, and Leah Odle Bensonf rom the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Kanata North Councillor Cathy Curry
Leslie Wells addresses the riders after their return.
Riders gather before and after the ride at Bushtukah, Sttittsville. Bushtukah has been a generous supporter of the RTTTT from the beginning.
