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
Autumn 2022 Issue
Stephen Lewis Foundation Update
Ottawa-Gatineau Regional Grandmothers Network (O-GRGN) Update
Grassroot Grannies Update – What have we been up to?
Our 3rd event of the year Books and Breakfast Buffet has the go-ahead to take place on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Kanata Golf and Country Club. We can't wait to have this popular in-person gathering again after a 2-year break. It is a wonderful social morning where we can pick up new books and purchase cards and crafts for Christmas as well as enjoy a delicious breakfast with friends.
Update from GRAN (Grandmothers Advocacy Network )
Our outdoor plant sale returned on May 7th after a three year hiatus and was well received once again. There was a constant flow of friends and neighbours coming by long before our 8 a.m. opening. With the sale of plants, cards, garden art and a raffle we were able to donate $6800 to the SLF. A social luncheon was held at Karen Whiteside's in the afternoon where we unwound and talked about the morning's highlights
Hello friends,
Our beautiful summer is fast becoming a memory as we look forward to a new season but also take time to reflect on our successes. We invite you to read our fall newsletter highlighting what we have done this year. All of our events are focused on helping our counterparts, African grandmothers and their families.
Our 13th annual Ride to Turn the Tide took place on Sept. 7th and 8th this year with 28 cyclists and 4 support people doing the 2-day ride. Sit down and brace yourselves as you absorb the amount of money we raised - $91,000 ! We can't thank our supporters enough for their generosity.
A week before the Ride, Shirley Mander, a long time granny, wrote and submitted a timely article to the Community Voice to generate interest and support. We think it worked!
See the article at the bottom of the newsletter.
At our fall meeting we welcomed two new members - Carmel Griffin and Linda Connell. Both women had belonged to other groups and wanted to continue their association by joining the Grassroot Grannies. We are happy to have them as fellow members .
Grandmother groups were asked to sign an open letter to the Government calling on Canada to support a waiver that COVID vaccines be distributed on a needs basis not a profit basis. The goal is to get vaccines to grandmothers and their teenaged children. The reality is that only 2.5 % of the vaccines administered globally have gone to Africa. The government has signed agreements with drug companies to start delivering vaccines to these vulnerable people.
To read about recent government action on vaccines Click here
An informal get-together of the regional grandmothers took place at Vincent Massey Park in June to have lunch, socialize and speak about our activities. Some of our grannies cycled to the park as a way to promote our Ride.
Next Grannyfest
On Thursday, Oct. 6 there will be an in-person gathering of local granny groups for an all day sharing and listening session at the Unitarian Church on Cleary Avenue.
It will be a time to renew our dedication to the African grandmothers and their children.
National Initiative
Some good news! Winnie Byanjeru a former officer at the Campaign Office reported that thanks to the efforts of the grandmother groups across Canada we have been able to keep our fundraising dollars directed to helping the grandmothers of Africa. There was a push to direct some of the funds to other causes but the grannies prevailed.
Thank you for supporting the work we do for African grandmothers. It is encouraging and uplifting to know we have so many friends behind us.
Several members of the Grassroot Grannies contributed gently loved items to a neighbourhood garage sale on September 10. This biannual event raised over $500, with all proceeds going to the Grandmothers' Campaign.
Garage Sale
Jill Doherty, Newsletter editor
