Look At These Other
Events Organized by the Ottawa Area Grandmother Groups >>>
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| October 13, 2007 |
Reaching the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro:
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| October 4, 2007 |
Begin the Lemosho Lava Tower 12 day climb:
9 climbing days, starting on October 4th and ending on October 15th.
Quote from the Tusker Trail website:
“The most remote and untraveled is the LEMOSHO LAVA TOWER ROUTE.
Tusker Trail designed this route, which treks 180 degrees around
Kilimanjaro's south facing glaciers. On our climbs we always build
in extra days to allow you more time to acclimatize to the thin air
at high altitude. This is the key to your safety, your enjoyment and
the success of your climb.”
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| September 30, 2007 |
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Kilimanjaro Trail Hike and Run:
The Old Quarry Trail in Kanata is where the hikers and runners will
join the climbing team for a 5.9 km (to the summit of Kilimanjaro)
or 11.8 km (up and down Kili) hike or run. This will be our send-off
as we will be leaving for Kilimanjaro the following week to start our
real climb on October 6th. We will actually be trekking approximately
65 Km during our 9 day climb. Bushtukah is our official sponsor. The
person who raises the highest amount in pledges will receive a $100
Bushtukah gift certificate. With each of the 2nd and 3rd highest pledge
earners getting $50 Bushtukah gift certificates. We'll have goodie bags
for all the participants and raffling off more prizes! Anyone who has
experience or an interest in helping with this type of event can call
me at 613-720-4599 or contact me by e-mail. Our goal is to raise $10,000.
New!
Join the grandmothers on their final hike before the climb! It's easy and fun:
- Register online or by phone at 613-720-4599
(leave a message).
- Choose to Hike or Run either the 5.9km or the 11.8km course and
set your pledge raising goal.
- Get your pledge
form and information package by downloading it
from the website or pick one up from any of the climbers or Bushtukah.
You can also download or ask for
extra
pledge pages.
- Bring your pledges with you on the 30th to P5 between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM
- Join a hiking group and know that with each step you take you are
giving hope to African Grandmothers and their orphaned grandchildren.
Thanks for taking the time to help our sisters in ensuring a future
for their grandkids and making this Bon Voyage party such a memorable occasion!
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| June 30, 2007 |
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Family BBQ and Fun Fair:
Mark June 30th on your calendar and be prepared to enjoy the fun packed
day that we are planning for you. Consider it a reward for all your hard
work and a very special thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Not only will it be a day loaded with activities for all ages but our goal
is to raise another $19,335.60 for the African Grandmothers. IMAGINE a day
of fun for us will give the grandmothers days, weeks and maybe even months
of comfort and peace of mind. Try to IMAGINE how such a small effort from
each of us will change the lives of so many in Africa. So tell your family,
friends and neighbours to come out and support the cause and to reward
yourselves by having a day of fun with your family at the Dunrobin Community Centre.
More information »
For all the details of the event please take a minute to read my
Letter to the Editor that appeared in the West Carleton Weekender on July 13th.
Although the weather was a major challenge, our entertainers were not to be
deterred; they were all able to perform their numbers as originally planned.
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| June 9, 2007 |
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Speaking Engagement at the Robertson House Retirement Residence:
Laura O’Dell, their Recreation Director, has invited me to speak
to the residents and their families. Laura says that she is looking
to inspire her residents, I certainly hope that I can deliver on
that expectation. But I’ve come to realize that I always walk away
from these events fully inspired. They clearly show me the need to
continue being the voice of Africa’s grandmothers and the strength to do so.
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| June 2, 2007 |
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St. Stephens Anglican Church Walk/Run:
There will be a 10km walk starting at 9AM and a 5km walk
starting at 10AM. Participants are collecting pledges with
the Stephen Lewis Foundation – Grandmothers to Grandmothers
being the benefactor. Walk officials will be on hand during
the entire event to make sure everything runs smoothly and
to, very importantly, collect pledges, count money and
receipt participants. Everyone will enjoy a box lunch
afterwards.
25 walkers and 2 bikers had a beautiful morning to walk or
bike from Britannia Park to Remic Rapids (5K) and the hardier
ones continued on to Kitchisipi Lookout (10K) on the Ottawa
River Parkway. Total pledges raised by these dedicated walkers
amounted to a whopping $6,861. Congratulations to all of you
and special thanks to our loyal supporters. Our heartfelt
gratitude goes to all the volunteers and organizers for their
valuable time and those who donated food and drinks for our
hardy fundraisers.
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| May 7, 2007 |
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Speaking Engagement for the Marys and Marthas:
Beryl Neddow, a neighbour since we moved to Dunrobin, has invited me to
address her church group. Beryl has been such a staunch supporter and
always wants to do more. The group is in for a treat, a private viewing
of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s documentary
Grandmothers: The Unsung
Heroes Of Africa. Beryl, I want to thank you for organizing this event
and for being such a fervent advocate for the African Grandmothers.
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| May 6, 2007 |
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Baby Shower to honour new baby Ava Blunt Mackenzie:
The ladies at St. Stephen's Anglican Church wanted to give a baby
shower for Ava Blunt Mackenzie, the minister's new granddaughter.
Ava's mother, Rachel Blunt Mackenzie, suggested that a small gift
(optional) be given to Ava, but she would be pleased if donations
be made to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Grandmothers to
Grandmothers Campaign in Ava's name. After the regular service on
Sunday, May 6, 2007, a light lunch, of food donated by parishioners,
was served and the opening of gifts followed. A supply of donation
envelopes was on hand and ladies donated as they wished. $1,436.00
was realized and a time of fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all.
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| March 23, 2007 |
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Wine and Cheese Party at
St. Stephen Anglican Church:
Trudy Stephen, our most recent addition to the team, hosted a
wonderful evening strongly supported by her fellow worshipers
who donated food, prepare the spectacular array of cheeses, sold
admittance tickets and Trudy’s hand-crochet Granny Square washcloths.
Trudy’s daughter and son-in-law tended bar. His Excellency Ombeni
Sefue, High Commissioner of Tanzania and his beautiful wife, attired
in traditional dress, were also in attendance. His Excellency spoke
candidly and with love of his country and the impact HIV/AIDS has had
on their economy and cultural beliefs. I used this audience as my
guinea pigs for a new 20-25 minute presentation that I hope to deliver
in other similar venues to raise awareness of the African grandmother’s
plight. Trudy’s efforts raised $1,844.00 but the highlight of the
evening was Father Paul’s announcement that St. Stephen’s Parish
pledges to raise another $19,340 for our fundraising campaign by
the time we leave for Kilimanjaro or, at the very latest, by the
end of the year. Trudy and I can’t thank the congregation enough
for their support, commitment and dedication which they have
demonstrated so far and wish them all the best in the upcoming
months to achieve the goal they have set for themselves.
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| January 18, 2007 |
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Stephen Lewis Meets the Ottawa Grandmother Groups :
On January 18th, Mr. Lewis was kind enough to meet with members of the
grandmother groups in the area and shared some very exciting news with us.
The Canadian Grandmothers’ movement has blossomed and grown into an
international movement. Alicia Keys, co-founder and global ambassador for
Keep A Child Alive, World Vision and hopefully, the Elton John AIDS
Foundation, with HelpAge International are all promoting and raising
awareness to support Africa’s Grandmothers. In addition, UNICEF has
made it a priority to provide special assistance to the grandmothers
who are raising their orphaned grandchildren. But it doesn’t stop there,
the GAPA (Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS)
grandmothers from South Africa were invited to Swaziland to lead workshops
to teach the grandmothers in that country how to advocate, speak out and
make their plight know to the leaders of the country. The Swazi Grandmothers
now have a voice and are being listened to. This would not have come about
had it not been for the
Toronto Gathering
where representatives from these two grandmother groups attended the same workshop.
Mr. Lewis also announced that the Foundation has raised over $10 million
in 2006 of which over $630,100.37 came from the Grandmothers Campaign.
Those results are truly amazing given that the Grandmothers to Grandmothers
Campaign only started in March and that the number of groups has tripled
since then. IMAGINE the impact we will have, the lives that we will
touch and the hope that we will share in 2007.
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| December 10, 2006 |
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Christmas Centerpiece Raffle at St-Rémi:
My mother and step-father generously donated one of the centerpieces they
purchased in support of the Christmas Campaign to their parish as a raffle
item. The proceeds were split between the parish and my fundraiser. We sold
tickets before and after the Saturday and Sunday masses and raised $117.90
in sales plus an additional $20.00 from a donation. But more importantly by
raising the awareness of the African Grandmothers plight in this very warm
and welcoming francophone community, found a champion for the cause who is
interested in starting her own Grandmother Group and others who just want to
help. Good Luck Lucie. Hope to read about your future plans and projects
early in the New Year.
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| November 29, 2006 |
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Recipient of the NAC’s ‘Good Samaritan’ Award:
This Community Spirit Award is presented every year to an NAC employee who
contributes personal time and effort to support a cause within the individual’s
community. The employees nominated for this award have demonstrated exceptional
spirit by getting involved in community events or activities ... including those
outside the performing arts family. They have volunteered their personal time
and effort, and demonstrated initiative and leadership in the role of volunteer.
My NAC family has been extremely supportive of my efforts throughout my campaign
by poking their head in my office, to wish me luck; by sharing fundraising ideas;
by attending my fundraising events; by their generous donations; and now by their
nomination for this coveted award. It is such a privilege to have been nominated
and such a great honour to have been selected. Julia Foster, Chair of the NAC
Board of Trustees and Peter Herrndorf, our President and CEO were both on hand to
present the award which was thrilling in itself since they have gone out of their
way to show their support and recognition. The Inukshuk is the symbol for the
award and is very appropriate as it reflects the very essence of my efforts since
it “…has been adopted today as a symbol to remind us of our dependence on each
other and the value of strong relationships.”
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| November 23, 2006 |
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“Speaking Engagement at the Food for Thought Luncheon”
Wanda Keenan, the organizer of the Food for Thought luncheons invited me to
speak about my climb and fundraiser. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th
Thursday of each month for lunch with a different guest speaker for each
luncheon. It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed meeting everyone.
They truly are a sympathetic group and it is always so inspiring to see and
feel the compassion, understanding, caring and love for others less fortunate
(even if they are a world away). Although their interest lay mostly in my
climb of Kilimanjaro, they quickly became aware of my underlying purpose and
the enormous challenge that grandmothers like them face every day on the other
side of the ocean. This event raised $127.00 from a small (21) but extremely
sympathetic group of individuals. Thank you Wanda for the opportunity and I
look forward to a return engagement when I come back from Africa. |
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| Only until November 10, 2006 |
Christmas Wreath Campaign:
These fresh, fragrant Holiday Evergreens are a must to complete any
home’s Holiday decorations. They are hand crafted by the families in
a small village of 759 in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The woodsmen
gather and deliver the seasoned fir boughs and trees to the DeLong Farm’s
Hatchery where the women and neighbours work the wreaths and bind the
trees, while sharing interludes of gentle gossip, warm tea and shared
laughter. Each product is tenderly wrapped in its own humidity controlled
gift box to ensure long intense fragrance and greenery and making them
extremely suitable for gift giving.
See more about them.
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IMAGINE yourself on Christmas morning, admiring your
beautiful wreath, centerpiece or both knowing that your action
not only helped our wonderful African Grandmothers enjoy another
blessed Christmas with their grandchildren, but also helped
these creative and caring Nova Scotia families maintain their
legend in the Christmas Tree Capital of the World.
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Campaign Wrap-Up – These wonderful wreaths basically
sold themselves and raised $560.80. Special thanks go to Sharleine
Haycock of Mississauga who single-handedly raised almost half of that
amount through her church and neighbourhood. My sister, Francine, and
I raised the other half. I would also like to thank the DeLong Farm for
graciously agreeing to deliver the wreaths and centrepieces to Sharleine
in Mississauga at no additional cost to us. Their in-kind donation is
certainly recognized and greatly appreciated. Hopefully, next year more
of the Grandmother Groups will join in this campaign.
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| Halloween, 2006 |
Pig-e-Bank Halloween Campaign:
As a child I remember feeling so proud of myself when I was able to give
some of my pennies to help the starving children of Africa. I didn’t have
a UNICEF or Pig-e-Bank box to bring with me on Halloween night, but I’m
sure that I would have if I had been aware of them. I know a lot of you
and your children used to carry UNICEF boxes and that they would love to
help and share their good fortune with the African children. I plan on
having my own box and going around my neighborhood on Halloween (probably
dressed as a hiker). The GiveMeaning Foundation is providing us with all
the boxes that we want at no charge, which means that every penny collected
from this campaign will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation in support of the
Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, if your child chooses my project when
they register their Pig-e-Bank. The major benefit of the Pig-e-Bank is
raising awareness by using the vast power of the internet. The other beauty
of the boxes is that they can be displayed in your office, lunchrooms, local
convenience stores, etc. collecting pennies and raising awareness even before
the big day.
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IMAGINE these pennies from heaven making their way to Africa
because of our own little angels!
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Campaign Wrap-Up – Congratulation to our young fundraisers! Amazingly enough 6 children
signed up for the campaign and raised a whopping $445.55 (a little more
than 2 months pension for a South African Grandmother). My grandson,
Ryland (2 ½) was the top fundraiser with a whopping $147.82. Kayla, my
youngest niece (12), raised $37.00 but gave such a convincing plea to one
of her neighbors that he pledged to give $100.00 per month for 12 months.
Thanks to the wonderful parents who supported the effort by bringing their
child’s pig-e-bank to work, rolling and counting the coins, etc.
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| September 19, 2006 |
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“Shakers on a Mission of Love”
started their year-long journey today, with Julia Foster, Chairperson of the
National Arts Centre who reached Kili’s summit in January 2006. -- We are
very special salt & pepper shakers. We are not meant to be used in the normal
way, since we are on a mission to collect as much money as we can for the
African Grandmothers. Our goal is to raise $1,000 by October 2007. Gisèle
bought us at the Line Dancing Workshop fundraiser in September 2006 for $5.00.
Now all you have to do is match or top her contribution and pass us on to a
friend, family member, neighbour, colleague, etc. Our year long journey will
be tracked with the hopes that it will be published upon our return. Finally,
whoever is holding us on October 13, 2007 will send us to the Stephen Lewis
Foundation where our journey will end and confirm how much we really are worth.
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| September 10, 2006 |
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Grandparents Day Gathering on Parliament Hill:
Lend our Voices to African Grandmothers
To encourage the Canadian government to honour 0.7% funding to developing countries.
To encourage African governments to make medication & education available to all.
To encourage the respect of human rights and gender equality.
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| September 9, 2006 |
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Line Dancing Workshop Hosted by ‘The Crazy Soles’
at the Churchill Community Centre:
Line dancing has been around for decades but what you will see
on a line dancing floor today is nothing like what you might
remember from the days of “Achy Breaky Heart”. Back then, line
dancers danced only to country music. Now, if you like a mix
of latino, disco, salsa, pop, swing, celtic and even hip hop
music, then you should be line dancing.
There will be line-dancing workshops throughout the afternoon
followed by a cold meal, a silent auction, raffles and of course
more dancing. As a lead in to the event, baked goods and 50/50
tickets are being sold at their weekly get-togethers.
All proceeds from this event are being donated to the Stephen
Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
More information »
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| August 22, 2006 |
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| August 11-13, 2006 |
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Attended the Grandmothers’ Gathering:
I attended the Grandmothers’ Gathering
sponsored by the Stephen Lewis Foundation which took place in Toronto
on August 11-12th, 2006, concluding with a collective Grandmothers’
Solidarity Walk, Sing-In and Fair on the morning of the 13th. The
Gathering brought together grandmothers and project facilitators
from 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique,
Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
and Zimbabwe) where the Stephen Lewis Foundation supports projects.
They gathered with Canadian grandmothers who have recognized the
terrible burden being borne by African grandmothers in the context
of HIV/AIDS, and who are mobilizing in response to the needs and
rights of African grandmothers in an effort to provide support.
More information »
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| July 8, 2006 |
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Fundraising Kick-Off BBQ:
This will launch Gisele’s fundraising campaign to help
the Grandmothers in Africa by donating the proceeds to
the Stephen Lewis Foundations’ Grandmothers to Grandmothers
Campaign and to show your support for her Kilimanjaro Climb
planned for October 2007.
There will be all kinds of activities for young and old
alike. There’s going to be a SILENT AUCTION, CAR WASH and
KID’S GAMES - just to name a few.
Dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers.
Psst… Don’t tell anyone but CBC-TV might be
filming for a special!!!
Contributers, the media, well-wishers, and friends and family
joined Gisele at her home for a terrific kick-off BBQ. Over
$4,000 was raised towards the goal by that one event!
See more »
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| June 20, 2006 |
Website Launch:
The website for Gigi Climbs Kili is opened to the public
to begin presenting information and to start collecting
donations.
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