Richmond's grandmothers dedicated to empowering African grandmothers affected by AIDS recently wrapped up another successful fundraiser.
Community members enjoyed tea, coffee and home-baked goods while shopping for the holidays at the Richmond Gogos' Cranberry Holiday and Baking Craft Fair on Nov. 18.
The inaugural cranberry baking and craft fair raised around $7,000 and was a "huge success," said Richmond Gogos spokesperson Lauris Williams.
Williams credits the fundraiser's success to community members who pitched in for the event, including Gogos members, their families and friends and McMath secondary student volunteers, as well as the JES Trio who provided live music entertainment.
Door prizes at the event were donated by individuals from the South Arm United Church and the Gogos also received 50 pounds of cranberries from Maybloom Farms.
"And of course, thank you to everyone who came to our fair and went away with some delightful treats and treasures," she added.
"Gogos" stands for grandmothers in Zulu culture, and the Richmond chapter, made up of grandmothers and "grand-others" was formed in 2008, explained Williams.
All funds raised go toward supporting the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
The campaign helps empower grandmothers in 15 African countries who are caring for grandchildren orphaned by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Over the past 15 years, the group has raised around $150,000 in total for the campaign.
To learn more about the Richmond Gogos, visit richmondgogos.org or email [email protected].
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