A group of grandmothers will dress up for a good cause, March 8, during International Women's Day.
Members of the Coquitlam Gogos will be modeling the latest spring fashions from Creekside Fashions in Port Coquitlam at 7 p.m. at Heritage Woods secondary school in Port Moody during the Glamma Gramma! event.
All proceeds will be going to the Stephen Lews Foundations' Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign to help grandmothers looking after their AIDS-orphaned grandchildren.
Julie Lemon, who will be wearing a lime green frock, said this is one of the group's largest fundraisers for the African grandmother's campaign. "If we sell out, it will be awesome," Lemon said.
Nancy Gattey, owner of Creekside Fashions, who is providing 30 outfits for 10 models, said she is glad to help out because of family and personal connections with Africa.
"It was years ago, of course, that I went," said Gattey, recalling how she spent two years living in a small village near Lagos, Nigeria with her husband. Since then her eldest son has traveled through Africa, in part to visit the grave of a great, great grandfather who was a customs agent in South Africa.
"You are forever changed by the experience," Gattey said, recalling the resilience and resourcefulness of the people there. When she was asked to provide clothing for Glamma Gramma! she jumped at the idea.
In addition to 10 grandmother models, there will be 10 young models from Heritage Woods secondary school who will be dressed by Vive, another sponsor of the event.
Besides the fashion show, there will be luscious desserts from local restaurants and crafts made by the Coquitlam Gogos.
The Grandmothers Campaign has raised by $13.5 million for women in sub-Saharan Africa who have become a central force in turning the tide of HIV/AIDS. Funds raised provide necessities such as food, educational supplies, uniforms and school fees, home based care, HIV counseling and testing, adequate housing and micro-credit loans.
Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance by calling Linda at 604-931-2843 or Verna 604-460-4644. Tickets can also be picked up at Creekside Fashions in Port Coquitlam or Vive in Port Moody.
For more information, visit www.greatervangogos.org and www.stephenlewisfoundation.org.
