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Fascinating fundraiser sold out

Grandmothers to Grandmothers event to raise money for African AIDS orphans
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Donna Dash (left) Gwen Acres (far right)

By BRENDA GOUGH

News Reporter

There were 150 tickets available for the Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmothers fashion show and tea this Friday at the Eaglecrest Golf Club and they were snapped up quickly.

All proceeds from the sold out event will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) which supports community-level organizations that are turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa by providing care and support to women, orphans, grandmothers and other people living with the deadly disease. AIDS continues to devastate African communities and since the beginning of the epidemic 14.8 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.  Since their campaign began more than 240 groups of Canadian grandmothers have raised over $10 million, providing African grandmothers with food, housing grants, school fees for their grandchildren and more.

Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmothers has been raising money locally since 2006 to benefit the SLF.

The local group of about 100 dedicated volunteers has already donated $184,000 to the foundation.

The guests at this years fundraiser have an opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind handmade fascinator to wear for the tea.

Also included in the charitable event’s itinerary will be the sale of handcrafted goods, including AIDS Angels, handbags, books and more, a tea service and an auction featuring donated goods from local merchants.