Barry Coulter
The Gogo Grannies of Cranbrook are set for their eighth annual Glitz and Glamour Mothers' Day Brunch, to take place Saturday, May 7 —the day before Mothers' Day — at the Heritage Inn.
The fundraising event features "gently used" jewelry, scarves, purses and other items for sale. There will be a silent auction of a considerable number of items donated by local citizens and businesses, doors prizes for six lucky attendees, and great food and refreshments.
And everyone who attends the brunch will have a chance to to win a beautiful handmade quilt donated by Rose Augustine. This year marks the fourth year Rose has donated a quilt for the cause.
The Brunch begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are on sale at Lotus Books in Cranbrook. Organizers advise that the event has sold out each year previously, so get your tickets early.
Since 2007, the GoGo Grannies have raised almost $100,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The foundation directs its funds to community-level organizations in 15 African countries to support grandmothers caring for their grandchildren due to the impact of HIV/AIDS. Funds raised support their well-being, their medical needs, and helps provide the means for earning a living and housing and education needs.
The GoGo Grannies of Cranbrook, Kimberley and Wasa was formed in October, 2007, after hearing Stephen Lewis speak. Their purpose is to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.
"Our local group of dedicated grannies realizes the grandmothers in Africa can't quit, so we have assumed the philosophy that we can't quit either," said Cynthia Stuart, one of the organizers.