Oceanside Grannies now have the distinction of having held a successful Bottle & Can drive during a monsoon storm! Not only did it pour off and on all day but when I came home I found that we had a power outage which continued until about 7.30! We did very well despite the weather – with refunds on containers which were delivered before Saturday and cash donations on the day (I think people felt sorry for us!) and the day’s takings we have a total of $2,635.51!!!!
Much of this is due to Carolyn’s crew in the Nanoose/Fairwinds area who snared a huge haul of beer and wine bottles from the Marina at Schooner Bay as well as good house to house and general public donations. Many thanks to Graham Reid who loaned us his huge trailer to haul it all back to Parksville.
To the incredibly hard-working and good-natured Grannies and Grandothers who toiled all day sorting and counting and pushing carts full of containers back and forth (often in the pouring rain) thank you so much we couldn’t have done it without you!

We also would like to thank the collection crews who distributed brochures and picked up returnables house to house.

A large part of our success is attributable to the great work done by the Publicity Committee whose wise counsel and good ideas helped us spread the word throughout the community – well done and thank you!
All in all I think this was a wonderful example of how well we can work together and ease the difficulties felt by our African counterparts!

Lorna Reid

Coordinator

Posted by,

Carol Lundine

Communications

Up-Island News Releases – Oceanside Grannies

The Victoria Cyclists are taking part in the ninth annual three-day marathon cycling fundraiser to support African grandmothers who are dedicated to conquering the devastating effects of AIDS in Africa.

The cycling fundraiser is truly an Islands-wide grandmother event. Sponsored by the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa, all eight Island grandmother groups along the 275 km route help and support the tour by providing meals, snacks and enthusiastic cheers and congratulations as the riders make their way south. Their support, in turn, energizes the cyclists to keep on pedaling and ultimately achieve their goals.

We are scheduled to leave for the day from Riverside Resort at Qualicum Beach at 8:00 am, will cycle through Parksville somewhat before 9:00 am to shortly after via the Old Island Highway and arrive at Nanoose Place via North West Road at about 9:30. We would love it if Oceanside Grannies and the whole town for that matter came out to cheer us on. [….] By the way, the stops on our itinerary are also on our website: http://www.victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca

The Oceanside Grannies support the cyclists every year. This year they are welcoming, encouraging and serving them refreshments as they pass through Nanoose Bay on their way to Chemainus where their second day ends.

All participants are 55 or older and usually average about 65 years of age. Composed mainly of grandmothers in their retirement years, in eight years the cyclists have raised a total of $436,000. They are hoping in this ninth year, to take the donations to a cool half million.
All of the grandmother groups including the riders in this event raise money for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Participants solicit donations from the greater community as well as their friends and relations. To support this worthy cause, go to http://www.victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca

EMPTIES are FULL of opportunity! The Oceanside Grandmothers ask you to save your refundables and bring them to the Parksville Bottle & Recycling Depot, 611 Alberni Highway, on Saturday, August 29th between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm. All refunds will be directed to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign. Help support African grandmothers raising children orphaned by AIDS. For more information, contact: lornareid@shaw.ca

** Please note that grandmothers in the Fairwinds/Nanoose Bay area are asked to leave their refundables at the bottom of their driveway or bring them to Schooner Cove between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on August 29th.

Contact Lorna Reid

Posted by Carol Lundine

Communications