In June, treasurer Yvonne announced that VG4A has raised $1 million since we began in 2006.  On August 10, a delegation of members went to Victoria Council and heard that Mayor Helps will proclaim September 10, 2017, GRANDMOTHERS TO GRANDMOTHERS DAY in honour of our extraordinary achievement.  Come join members, Mayor Helps, and supporters on the steps of the Legislature at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday September 10 to welcome home the cyclists on the two Cycle Tours and say THANKS A MILLION to our supporters for helping us raise $1 million. 

This link is active only until May 14, so use it soon!  A beautiful hour-long trip through Africa through photography, thanks to the Knowledge Channel:

​https://www.knowledge.ca/ program/photographing-africa

VG4A co-coordinator Marianne Bartram demonstrated how to make paper bead necklaces at the Tapestry Conference in Victoria with Laurie Wilson and again in Fanny Bay at the Regional Gathering.  15 members of VG4A went to Fanny Bay to join with grandmother members from up and down the Island and nearby islands for a memorable time of sharing and inspiration.  Healey Thompson and Asmita Persaud brought stories and news about the Campaign from the SLF office in Toronto.  They shared how the issues have changed over the ten years of the Campaign's existence, from the early focus on grief, loss and pain to the present focus on grandmothers as advocates for their own empowerment.  The grandchildren now are adolescents, posing different challenges for the grandmothers caring for them.  Loss of funding and the impacts of climate change are other pressing issues needing solutions. 

      Register for the BC Islands' Regional Gathering
                           March 11, 2017

If you’d like to attend The BC Islands Regional Gathering, this is the information we need:

                                    Name__________________________________________
                                    Address________________________________________
                                    Email address___________________________________
                                    Phone Number__________________________________
                                    Billet Required?_______________
                                    Grannie Group Name_____________________________
If you register before March 4, cost is $15.  After March 4, $20
 
You can register one of two ways:
Electronic option:  email registration information to joannereid4906@gmail.com
                        and     Send email money transfer to joannereid4906@gmail.com
                                    Security Question: “Where is the Regional Gathering being held?”
                                    Answer: “Fanny Bay”
Paper option:  Fill out the above information and mail it, along with a cheque or money order (made payable to “Comox Valley Glacier Grannies”)    
                                    To - Joanne Reid 
                                           4906 Willis Way
                                           Courtenay, BC
                                           V9J 1L6
My phone number, should you need it, is 250 334 0967(home) or 250 650 9967 (cell)
 
Please note: Registration and Marketplace will begin at 8:30.   Events will finish just after 4.

Singer Steven Page was recently one of the celebrities on Chopped Canada, and he won!  He was awarded $10,000 for a charity of his choice, and he chose the  Grandmothers Campaign.  Go to Food Network here or read his celebrity interview below.

Steven Page: A well-known singer/songwriter, Steven is one of the founding members of The Barenaked Ladies with whom he toured the world and sold millions of albums. On his own, Steven continues his artistic evolution with an array of solo projects.
How do you define your cooking style?
I love to go to the farmers’ markets and buy fresh ingredients to cook with. I like to cook comfort foods but I lighten them up with fresh, healthy ingredients.
What’s one dish you cook well?
I make really good homemade vegan pâté. I don’t eat vegan all the time, but I like the things that are more labour intensive. It’s fun when you try and challenge yourself to create something flavourful that’s not full of fat.

What ingredient would you hate to see in a basket?
Durian. It’s an Asian fruit that smells like a dumpster. But they wouldn’t do that to us, would they?!
Who’s your biggest competition?
Roz is my biggest competition. He’s someone who really knows his way around the kitchen. But that doesn’t always mean it’s a recipe for winning.
What charity are you playing for?
I’m playing for the The Steven Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. They work with community level organizations in Africa to give grandmothers all the help they need to raise their children.

FLASH MOB -- SPLASH MOB  -- A CROSS-CANADA DANCE OF SOLIDARITY
Over 20 Victoria grannies, undaunted by the rain that kept most others away, danced up a storm of solidarity with their Africa sisters.  Along with another 30 groups across Canada, we danced to The Eurhythmics's hit, Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves, singing the key words and grooving to moves like The ANNIE or The ARETHA.  And we had a blast!   Two dancers even arrived on their bikes!
We danced to call the world's attention to the scale of the global AIDS epidemic and the herculean role African grandmothers are playing in the response.

Many creatures were stirring, disturbing the mouse ....
And if you want to know more, you'll just have to wait till tomorrow!

Someone told new member Patricia Borcherds that we were short of dolls for the Sales and Crafts tables at upcoming events.  Next thing we knew, forty dolls were ready to go to some lucky child.  Way to go, Patricia!

Check out the EVENTS page for places to find VG4A Sales and Crafts tables

www.victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca/events.html

Last Monday's cycling grans enjoy a coffee break at the Red Brick Cafe in Sidney.  It was good to have Karen join us from Campbell River.