We rose to the challenge of a different year, with no craft fairs and no chance to celebrate together at a Christmas party.

Francine N. and Lynn R. set up a “socially distanced” swag-making workshop in Lynn’s garage, and many Grannies assisted by donating greenery and holly and making beautiful bows and swags. Undeterred by the lack of sales venues in the malls, we sold swags through the web site, our Facebook page, Gail E.’s contacts at the United Church, and to our friends and neighbours. A total of $1,705 was raised for the Foundation.   more

Early in the Covid 19 pandemic Glacier View Lodge made a request to the community for masks for their residents and staff, and several Grannies made and donated masks. It soon became clear that there would be a big demand for masks, and the Grannies were among the first to make and sell them. Business was extremely brisk, and the mask-makers worked tirelessly to keep up with the demand and to deliver them to customers.

The Grannies also recognized that health care workers and staff in long term care facilities and dental clincs were suffering ear discomfort due to wearing a mask throughout their shift. Through generous financial donations we were able to make and supply two kinds of ‘ear-savers’ (headbands and neckbands) to care workers at Cumberland Lodge and The Views, nurses on a ward at North Island Hospital and staff at Acreview Dental Clinic.

Between these two ventures we raised $8,850 for the Foundation. A huge thank you to all those who made, sold and delivered masks, and made and delivered “ear savers”: Gillian F., Dianne W., Carol C., Susan S., Joanne C., Gillian L., Diane S., Marguerite M., and Kathy N.

Thank you to the Comox Valley

When: Wednesday, November 4th

Where: Printed in the "Beefs and Bouquets" section of the Comox Valley Record

The Glacier Grannies extend a huge thank you to the Comox Valley! Since we came together in 2007, we have raised over half a million dollars for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We could not have done it without the support of all those who sponsored our activities, helped us with our projects, attended our events, and bought our crafts. African grandmothers, raising their grandchildren, orphaned in the HIV & AIDS pandemic, join us in expressing gratitude to you all!

When: August 17 to September 13

Where: Reality: the Comox Valley. Virtually: between Mbabane, Eswatini and Cape Town, South Africa

Seven members of the Glacier Grannies took part in the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa Virtual Cycle Tour, joining 69 riders from across Vancouver Island riding a variety of bicycles. The tour’s ambitious goal was for the cyclists to cover, between them, 18,107 kilometers. This corresponded to a virtual route across Africa, linking 15 countries and most of 325 community based organizations supported by the Foundation. Our riders joined Team 6, riding the 3000 kilometers from Mbabane, Eswatini to Cape Town, South Africa. The team achieved its goal.

Our riders were Bette A., Joanne C., Ann G. Silvia D. Barb F., Kerry W. and Carol S. Our team raised $3,825.

The Virtual Cycle Tour raised a record-setting $126,726.20, bringing the total raised in 14 years to over $1million.

The generosity of our friends, family and community is inspiring and we thank you for your generous support.

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Where: Field adjacent to Union Bay Hall

Date: Sunday, September 13

Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, and the smokey conditions from fires in the Western United States, the Market was a success. The organizing committee did an excellent job in laying out the field and setting up safety precautions, and it’s members were very helpful in setting up. $320 was raised for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, with masks, of course, being the most popular item.

Many thanks to the Union Bay Market committee and many Glacier Grannies: Ardith (lead), Kathy N. Bette, Iris, Jenny G., Dianne W., Carol C., Joanne W. and Joanne R. Thank you also to Elizabeth S. from Victoria Grandmothers for Africa, and her husband Jerry, who helped with setting up the canopy and the display.

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When: June 1 – August 9

Where: Reality: the Comox Valley. Virtually: from Addis Ababa to Cape Town

African grandmothers walk for survival every day – to fetch water, to take goods to market or to collect medicine. In solidarity with them, we joined the Foundation’s Virtual Stride to Turn the Tide, and “walked across Africa.” Some of our team walked, others cycled, scootered, kayaked, gardened and even sewed. As we progressed, we combined our totals, and on our way, “visited” many communities where the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign supports a project.

By August 9 we had achieved our goal – a total of 8,050 kilometers. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who pledged, we raised $8,565 for the Foundation.

With dozens of virtual strides taking place across Canada, the Foundation’s Stride Campaign collectively raised a total of $260,000, the highest yearly amount since 2013

A big thank you to our team captain, Ardith, who kept track of our weekly distances, and encouraged us along the way. Another big thank you to Pat P., who updated our Facebook page with information about the Foundation-supported projects as we “visited” them.

Thank you also to our team members: Joanne R., Joanne C. Joanne W., Pat P., Maybeth, Iris, Virginia, Carol C. Kate C., Jerry P., Gillian L., Gillian F. and Linda L.

Pledges can still be made until the end of the year. Click here if you would like to make a pledge

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When:     Friday, February 28, 2020

Where:    Little Red Church, Comox, BC

Edmonton-based folk singer, Maria Dunn, played to a comfortably-full hall at the Little Red Church in Comox. Maria’s interest in, and knowledge of, Social Justice Issues has resulted in a repertoire of interesting, well-written songs. Multi-talented Maria was able to multi-task by “tuning and talking” before each song. The stories leading to the creation of each song were captivating. Aided by sound technician, Alan Jossul, Maria was able easily to switch between guitar and accordion accompaniment. Maria gave a shout out to The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, and the important work done to support Grandmothers in Africa, before breaking into her song “When the Grandmothers Meet”.   read more

When:  Sunday, Jan 12; Sat & Sun, Jan 18 & 19

Where: Courtenay  

In December our dear friend and colleague, Nadine Towell, passed away. While we were greatly saddened by our loss, we were moved by her generosity in leaving the contents of her home, as well as her car, to be sold in aid of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

Nadine had excellent taste and travelled widely. This was reflected in her furniture, jewelry and art. She was also a keen sewer and quilter and had a large collection of equipment, supplies and fabric. read more

Many people worked tirelessly to prepare the house and contents for the sale. We are especially grateful to Nadine’s friends Julia, Karen, Barb and Joan, who did the preliminary sorting, and continued to support us throughout the event, and to Rocky (Quality Antique Furniture), and Phil who assisted with the valuing of furniture and art work. In addition, Grannies spent much time in arranging and pricing the items for sale. A special thank you goes to Kathy who valued the jewelry, and Gillian, Diane and Barb who worked with the sewing and quilting materials.

On Sunday, January 12 we held a sale for the Glacier Grannies and members of Nadine’s book club, at which we drank a toast to our friend.

On Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19 we opened the sale to the general public. Despite snow and slush, an endless stream of visitors attended and sales were extremely brisk.

Together with the sale of the car, Nadine’s estate sale raised $7866 for the Campaign.

In accordance with Nadine’s wishes, the few items that did not sell were donated to local thrift shops that support the vulnerable in our community.

Many thanks to all the Grannies and Grand Others who helped with sorting, pricing, laying out items for sale, advertising, setting up directional signs in snowbanks, working as salespeople and at crowd control, delivering furniture to buyers, and completing the final cleanup. And, of course, an enormous thank you to our friend Nadine for her loving gesture.Close

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