The Grandmothers of the Grand Ontario are celebrating their 10th Anniversary of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
African grandmothers are central to the life of their communities. With almost no support, they have stepped forward to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as 10 to 15 in one household.
They display astonishing reserves of love, courage and emotional resilience, even while grieving the loss of their own adult children, organizers state.
Canadians have raised $19.5 million for African grandmothers through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign.
Resources from the campaign are invested directly at community level, with grassroots organizations that provide grandmothers and the children in their care with supports that include food, educational supplies, uniforms and school fees, medical care, HIV counselling and testing, adequate housing and bedding, counselling and support groups, home visits, and much more.
Patrick Anderson was born in Edmonton and he grew up in Fergus.
At the age of nine he was hit by a drunk driver, and as a result lost both his legs below the knee.
Anderson is widely considered to be one of the best wheelchair basketball players in the world. Just a few of his many accomplishments include:
– three-time Paralympic gold medalist;
– inductee to the Centre Wellington Hall of Fame;
– Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal recipient; and
– Best Male Athlete Canadian paralympic 2013.
Anderson, a guitarist and vocalist, and his wife Anna Paddock, a songwriter, vocalist and pianist, live in Brooklyn, New York with their young son Stanley, where they pursue their music careers together.
Their band is called The Lay Awakes. The special guest accompanying them is Adrian Jones on guitar.
The Lay Awakes will be performing at the Elora Legion in the Maple Leaf Room on May 6 at 7pm in support of the Grandmothers of the Grand.
A local Fergus youth band, The Bends including members Will Valedis, Gabe Valedis, Nicki Preisenhammer, Ben McKay and Ben McWebb will be opening the evening celebration.
Many local artists have contributed art pieces for a live auction, organizers state.
Tickets for the performance are $30 and can be purchased at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fergus, Roxanne’s Book Store in Fergus, Sante Natural Emporium in Elora and Ashanti Café in Elora.
