St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner which means the Go-Go Grannies are getting prepared to host their annual St. Patrick’s Day Tea and Bake Sale at Christ Church Trinity, March 12, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The Go-Go Grannies are sponsoring the event with admission cost accepted by donation. All proceeds from this event will be given to the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF), Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign to support families in sub-Saharan Africa, who have been impacted by HIV AIDS.

Luana Gillies is one of the people who is helping arrange the sale and sees it as a great way to raise funds for the charity.

“I believe that this is our fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day tea.  It has always been a good fund-raiser because our members give generously of baked goods and of their time and the public attending give generously in the form of their donations.  People like to attend to enjoy tasty home baked food, the fellowship of friends and the opportunity to give to a very worthwhile cause.  Anyone who knows Stephen Lewis and his commitment to Africa and to people, women and children, in particular, are pleased to help the cause,

even in any small way,” she said.

According to Gillies all of the profits from the Tea will be sent to the SLF, Grandmothers campaign.

“Grandmothers in sub Saharan Africa are often raising large families and are stretched to feed and clothe them and to buy uniformsand provide transportation to school.  So many parents have died from AIDS. The SLF also provides support for grief counselling and support to people dying of AIDS.  Support is given to those people caring for their dying family members.”

All of these thoughts are articulated on the SLF website at www.stephenlewisfoundation.org

Gillies provided a quote from the website that states, “The Stephen Lewis Foundation supports community-based organizations

that are turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. We support women who are ill and struggling to survive; assist orphans and other AIDS-affected children; reach heroic grandmothers caring for their orphan grandchildren; and sustain associations of people living with HIV and AIDS. Since 2003, we have funded over 300 projects in 15 countries.”

Gillies added “The Valley Go-Go Sisters realize that our contributions are only a small step towards alleviating the pain of HIV in Africa but, along with all the other grandmother groups across Canada, we are helping.  Over the past five years we have been able to send more than $35,000 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.”

Anyone wishing more information about the Valley Go-Go Sisters can call Luana Gillies, 250-342-9600 or Connie Watson, 250-342-6688.