2021 began with the hope and expectation that Zoom meetings would not last all year. That wish did actually come to pass, as we did manage to have a few in-person meetings, but not much else in 2021 was anything close to normal. The pandemic waxed and waned but remained a very real part of our world. In this environment of social distance and masks, we pushed ahead and planned and carried out our events.
Our efforts in 2021 generated $15,338 for our sister grandmothers via the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). This figure is slightly better than 2020 ($14,600), the first year that was impacted by the pandemic, and just slightly below what we have averaged over the past 10 years. Quite a remarkable feat!
Here are the highlights:
Gift Bag Auction
We held our second online auction, expertly orchestrated by Joan. This one offered beautiful Grandmothers’ signature tote bags filled with fabulous goodies. Each gift bag was created around a theme.
There were books, baby items, toys, tea time treats, a boat ride, ski passes, and many other desirable prizes. The auction opened for bids on November 12th for 10 days. Bidding was fierce, and lots of fun for our community as well as supporters elsewhere. We sold the gift bags, an artist’s print, and seven extra bags (see a close-up of one of our popular tote bags at the end of this post).
Final tally, including generous donations, was just under $3200.
(Photo above: Betty with some of the gift bags)
Jam at the Prancing Pony and other events
Our efforts in 2021 generated $15,338 for our sister grandmothers via the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). This figure is slightly better than 2020 ($14,600), the first year that was impacted by the pandemic, and just slightly below what we have averaged over the past 10 years. Quite a remarkable feat!
Here are the highlights:
Gift Bag Auction
We held our second online auction, expertly orchestrated by Joan. This one offered beautiful Grandmothers’ signature tote bags filled with fabulous goodies. Each gift bag was created around a theme.
There were books, baby items, toys, tea time treats, a boat ride, ski passes, and many other desirable prizes. The auction opened for bids on November 12th for 10 days. Bidding was fierce, and lots of fun for our community as well as supporters elsewhere. We sold the gift bags, an artist’s print, and seven extra bags (see a close-up of one of our popular tote bags at the end of this post).
Final tally, including generous donations, was just under $3200.
(Photo above: Betty with some of the gift bags)
Jam at the Prancing Pony and other events
Forty-nine batches, 400 jars of jam. Judy loves making jam!
Surrounding Judy are many helpers — those who collect jars from all corners of the coast and return them to be re-filled; those who deliver to Prancing Pony Thrift Store and in turn collect funds to send to the SLF; those who visit Prancing Pony to re-stock the larder.
This is a shining example of the collective energy that supports our sisters in Africa. What love there is at every step of the process!
Results for the year: $2125
(Photo: Joan with the jam at the Persephone Brewery fundraiser)
Surrounding Judy are many helpers — those who collect jars from all corners of the coast and return them to be re-filled; those who deliver to Prancing Pony Thrift Store and in turn collect funds to send to the SLF; those who visit Prancing Pony to re-stock the larder.
This is a shining example of the collective energy that supports our sisters in Africa. What love there is at every step of the process!
Results for the year: $2125
(Photo: Joan with the jam at the Persephone Brewery fundraiser)
Pie Sales
We have great success with selling pies! Even though we haven't been holding pie sale events during the pandemic, our pies are sought out by our loyal customer base. Experienced bakers in our collective kitchens produce superb pies made with both wild fruit and garden fruit. This year, pies brought in just over $2000!
Garage and Tailgate Sales
We have great success with selling pies! Even though we haven't been holding pie sale events during the pandemic, our pies are sought out by our loyal customer base. Experienced bakers in our collective kitchens produce superb pies made with both wild fruit and garden fruit. This year, pies brought in just over $2000!
Garage and Tailgate Sales
As the pandemic lingered through the summer, it became apparent that our usual bazaar was not an option, so we pivoted and offered our collected white elephant treasures at a tailgate sale and two garage sales.
The tailgate sale was in partnership with the Gibsons Legion and took place in their parking lot. It was a warm summer day, and we had eight cars with displays of household paraphernalia, pottery, artwork, crafts and books.
In the fall, we hosted garage sales at Angie’s house — in the rain! A terrific contrast between the balmy summer experience and the bleak dampness of the fall.
Our spirits were high, and we successfully raised $2200.
Christmas Wreaths
The tailgate sale was in partnership with the Gibsons Legion and took place in their parking lot. It was a warm summer day, and we had eight cars with displays of household paraphernalia, pottery, artwork, crafts and books.
In the fall, we hosted garage sales at Angie’s house — in the rain! A terrific contrast between the balmy summer experience and the bleak dampness of the fall.
Our spirits were high, and we successfully raised $2200.
Christmas Wreaths
The wreath workshop at Hopkins Landing was bustling this year. Betty and her inspired crew created beautiful holiday wreaths and swags. We sold them on Facebook, at Persephone Brewing Company, and through our very reliable personal network. It was a great success, and we generated $1370!
World AIDS Day/Persephone Brewing Company
World AIDS Day/Persephone Brewing Company
We were asked to participate for World AIDS Day and to join in the evening sponsored by Persephone Brewing Company. We sold our wreaths and jams while burgers and farm beer were offered by Persephone. The event raised funds to benefit YouthCo, a BC-based organization helping youth impacted by AIDS and Hep C, and the Sunshine Coast Grandmothers and Grand Others. It was a lovely community gathering, and we generated $500!
Driftwood Players Evening
The evening at the theatre with the Driftwood Players was a lovely opportunity to share our story with the community. We were invited to join Driftwood Players for a showing of Spoon River and to be the beneficiary of the evening’s fundraising. We showed the film, Youth Championing Youth — a powerful message about the benefit of the programs sponsored by the SLF. We received a donation of $500.
Rounding out our efforts are many extra contributions from marmalade sales, card sales, collections of coins and refundables, and sales of treasures on our local Facebook Buy and Sell page. Plus straight cash donations!
Although we began 2021 with some trepidation, it turned out to be a very rewarding year!
Driftwood Players Evening
The evening at the theatre with the Driftwood Players was a lovely opportunity to share our story with the community. We were invited to join Driftwood Players for a showing of Spoon River and to be the beneficiary of the evening’s fundraising. We showed the film, Youth Championing Youth — a powerful message about the benefit of the programs sponsored by the SLF. We received a donation of $500.
Rounding out our efforts are many extra contributions from marmalade sales, card sales, collections of coins and refundables, and sales of treasures on our local Facebook Buy and Sell page. Plus straight cash donations!
Although we began 2021 with some trepidation, it turned out to be a very rewarding year!