The Sunshine Coast Grandmothers and Grand Others of the Stephen Lewis Foundation revitalized the Grand Bazaar after two years of hibernation during the time of Covid.
On November 19th the newly renovated Roberts Creek Hall was filled with beautiful handmade knitting and crafts, jams and pies, shining jewellery, books and fabric, toys, auctioned gifts, and tables of treasures to be found. Delicious soups and baked goods wafted from the kitchen and warmed the lunchtime appetites. The accounts are in and it was a very successful fundraising day, raising more than $6000 to support grandmothers and families in Africa. It was good to be back with each volunteer bringing her skills, energy and heart to contribute in her own way.
The collective effort resulted in a bazaar that was superbly organized by Christy and her team of volunteers. Marlene was a hero supplying everything needed to serve lunch after learning that the new commercial kitchen in the hall was waiting for inspections and the stove was off limits. A dozen Crockpots arrived and were filled with the sumptuous soups prepared by the more culinary grannies. Grateful thanks as well to the 7 students from the Interact Club from Elphinstone Secondary School who spent their Saturday helping out in all kinds of ways including writing up the lunch menu to recycling boxes at the end of the day.
The Bazaar’s success can be described in many more ways than the funds received; seeing the satisfied smiles of the volunteers, meeting the many visitors lingering and enjoying the vibe, watching discarded items turn into treasure in new hands, and finding the perfect crafted gift for a friend. It was a day bringing together the Sunshine Coast Grandmothers in service to the caregiving of Grandmothers on the other side of the world. Well done and thankyou to everyone who volunteered and everyone who attended.