InsideHalton.com, July 6, 2012. Submitted by Glenys Reither, Oomama Communications Committee.
The 2012 edition of Stride to Turn the Tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa was not dampened at all by drizzle and clouds that came with it in June.
Instead, a wave of orange flowed through downtown Oakville with most of the walkers wearing orange scarves, crafted by the African grandmothers whom the Grandmothers to Grandmothers groups, which hosted the event, support through the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
The five grandmother groups in Halton — Blooms for Africa, Bronte Grandmothers, North Halton Grandmothers, Oomama and Ubuntu Grandwomen, walked together for a third consecutive year to generate donations for, as well as to increase awareness of, the courageous and resilient grandmothers of Africa.
More than $66,000 was raised by the Halton team to help those grandmothers in Africa who care for the children of their children who have succumbed to the AIDS virus.
Close to 150 grandmothers and grand-others, adults and teens, were walking and/or volunteering.
Tots and babies in strollers, tented from the raindrops, accompanied mothers, grandmothers and their supporters in the walk from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School to Revera’s Churchill Place, on Allan Street, and back.
On hand to welcome the drenched walkers were Oakville councillors Pam Damoff and Max Khan, as well as Burlington MP Mike Wallace.
The school generously offered its cafeteria and parking facilities for the event.
Revera, and a number of community grocers and merchants, provided snacks and drinks. Drummers raised the energy level and Revera’s athletic instructors led the pre-walk stretch. A ‘grand’ time was had by all.
You can donate to the Halton Team online at www.stridetoturnthetide.ca.