Helping grandmothers helping grandmothers

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After two years of COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellations, an event that raises money for grandmothers in Africa affected by AIDS will return this fall — and organizers need your help.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/05/2022 (1397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After two years of COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellations, an event that raises money for grandmothers in Africa affected by AIDS will return this fall — and organizers need your help.

Grands ‘n’ More is looking for donations of art pieces of all styles and sizes for its Art from the Attic sale. If the item is in good condition and can hang on a wall, Grands ‘n’ More will take it.

Art from the Attic is scheduled for Oct. 2 at St. Vital Centre. All proceeds will go toward the group’s fundraising efforts for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports grassroots projects in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and 10 other African countries.

Daniela Evenson volunteers with Grands 'n' More, a local group that raises funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation projects that combat AIDS in Africa. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press)
Daniela Evenson volunteers with Grands 'n' More, a local group that raises funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation projects that combat AIDS in Africa. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press)

Since its inaugural event in 2015, Art from the Attic has raised more than $158,000.

For longtime art enthusiast Daniela Evenson, volunteering for Art from the Attic is an opportunity to handle artwork made by a range of creators, from amateurs to professionals such as Wanda Koop.

One of her roles is to pick up donations. They come from a variety of folks, including people who are downsizing and people who are artists themselves.

“I enjoy meeting people and hearing their stories of how they came across their art,” says Evenson, who joined Grands ‘n’ More in 2016.

In addition to her love for art, Evenson continues to volunteer with Grands ‘n’ More because of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Grands ‘n’ More formed in 2007, and is one of more than 150 Canadian grandmother groups that are part of the foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.

These groups assist grandmothers in Africa who are caring for grandchildren who have lost parents to AIDS.

To date, Grandmothers to Grandmothers has raised more than $40 million to support community-based projects in the areas most severely impacted by AIDS.

“I’m one of those privileged grandparents — my kids have done well, they all live in the city and I’m in contact with them and my grandchildren,” Evenson says. “Volunteering with Grands ‘n’ More is a chance to help grandmothers who might not have the same resources that I have.”

Sharon Twilley, who joined the group in 2016, agrees.

“It’s an act of solidarity,” she says. “It sounds a bit corny, but that’s what it is.”

A few years ago, Twilley had the opportunity to meet some of the grandmothers the Stephen Lewis Foundation assists.

"Volunteering with Grands ‘n’ More is a chance to help grandmothers who might not have the same resources that I have," Evenson says. (Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press)

“They showed so much strength and courage and resilience, and it was overwhelmingly inspiring,” she says.

For Donnie Fridfinnson, coming together with like-minded folks and working for the same cause is meaningful.

“We’re very supportive of each other and welcoming, and so the highlight is essentially working with the (other volunteers) and working with the people that we meet in the public,” she says, adding there’s always a lot to do in the lead-up to Art from the Attic.

“There’s just so many interesting components to putting on a sale like that. The art is fantastic and the people are great.”

The members of Grands ‘n’ More invite people who wish to donate art to call 204-451-7132 or email gnmafta@gmail.com.

Volunteers are also needed to help set up the day before the sale and on the day of the sale.

The group encourages anyone — not just women or grandmothers — interested in helping out to get in touch.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.

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