The Edmonton Grandmothers Fabulous Fabric Frenzy is over for another year, and what a day it was! A heartfelt thank you to our many patrons who supported our event. We appreciate each and every one of you. Despite the cold weather and gently falling snow on April 25, more than 900 customers came to the sale. Our “Grandother” doormen did their best to minimize the time that customers waited outside. While our hallways were crowed at times, everyone was very gracious about the wait.
The Edmonton Grandmothers could not make this event happen without the many hours of time given by our members who have spent most Thursdays over the past eight months sorting, pricing, and packing donations in preparation for the sale. This provides a wonderful opportunity for our members to connect with each other. Other members assist with behind the scenes work like promotions, media or seeking donations. Family members and friends assist in the preparations and sale and clean up. Everyone’s contributions are appreciated.
Without donations of fabric, quilting, notions and crafts we would not be able to host this sale. Our many, generous donors from Edmonton and surrounding communities offer fabric, craft supplies, notions and yarn for many different reasons. Often this is in times of personal transition, and we are grateful that those donors remember the Edmonton Grandmothers and the African Grandmothers we support when choosing an organization to support Our organization is committed to raising funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This vital foundation partners directly with grass roots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa that support grandmothers caring for the their grandchildren who have been orphaned by AIDS.
This event touches a diversity of people in many ways. Here are some thoughts from a member that captures the impact of this event on the Edmonton Grandmothers and our wider community.
When we focus on our GANG events, we primarily look to the goal of raising funds for our partners in Africa. But at the same time, our fundraising events generate many more benefits. As well as giving new life to materials and considering environmental issues, donors, volunteers and customers benefit too. This year was no different. We heard stories of how the Fabric Frenzy lets people contribute, who might not otherwise be able to. We heard about the senior couple emptying the family home as they face transition in their lives, the seamstress who usually volunteers many hours sewing for charities, but no longer can, and the quilter who can now afford to create comfort for others through her quilts. All able to donate fabric and crafts or repurpose them. We saw the students from Vimy Ridge Academy learn more about our goals and invited them to contribute their energy and strength in the physical set up of the event. And it is very rewarding to see so many happy customers, some almost joyful in their finds. Last but not least, the community building that occurs when we all work together.”
Again our thanks to all for your continued support!
