News from a supporter in Halifax

Bobbi Dunham-Carter writes from Halifax. Their proceeds support the Ottawa African AIDS Angels group, as well as some funds that go via Victoria from Judy Starritt in Nova Scotia.

I stumbled across African AIDS Angels at Love Me Boutique in Halifax, NS around Christmas 2008. I was intrigued so I bought one and the next day went to work at Nova Scotia Community College. I sent out an ‘all staff’ email to see if anyone wanted an Angel like the one I found at the boutique. Our college has 13 campuses around the province so not everyone has access to Halifax. Within an hour I received requests for 100 angels. I bought the entire stock. I was given a contact name in Ottawa to see about getting more angels. Peter Tobin and Lorna Kingston from Ottawa sent me another 200 angels which sold out immediately. NSCC is a pretty amazing place to work.

Again, Christmas 2009 didn’t disappoint. Although I could only get 150 angels this year (100 from Ottawa and 50 from Judy Starritt in NS who I met earlier this year), after sending an ‘all staff’ email, all the angels sold out within minutes. To date, $2250.00 raised. I’m very happy that all funds are being used to support the cause and not going to administrative or shipping costs. All angels sell for $5. This has been a great experience. I will continue to do what I can to help.

Other developments: Last year, a faculty member at NSCC’s Akerley campus, Michelle Flanagan, started an African AIDS Angels service learning project with the with the students in the General Arts and Science and African Career Transition Programs. I’ve attached some images.

You are doing a wonderful thing. I applaud you! YAY!!!

Bobbi Dunham-Carter, Organizational Learning Specialist
Nova Scotia Community College

Report from Powell River BC

The Powell River Aids Angel Group surpassed their wildest expectations for Aids Angels sales in 2009. We thought the perhaps the small market had been saturated from sales over the last 6 years. But we were thrilled when we could not keep up with demand.

Each fall we start making the dolls and when we had made 100 dolls, we thought our work was done. Then a couple of members with "Angel Fever" went over and above the call of duty. One member, an elementary school teacher, made over $200 as she sold Angels to all the school staffs in town. Another teacher worked with a group of her Kindergarten moms to make 40 dolls. The dolls were sold at their school's Christmas Concert.

The highlight of the Aids Angels-making season for me was watching the Grade 7 boys and girls at my school intently making angels. They were not satisfied with making one doll, they wanted to make more! I had preceded the angel making session with a short presentation on the topic of AIDS in Africa. (If you are considering doing something like this, YouTube has some excellent videos produced by the Stephen Lewis Foundation.)

You might be wondering how much money we raised this year. Our grand total was $1338.00! Thank you to all who helped!

Elizabeth Brach, Powell River

Gardens West features Seeds for Malawi garden

Gardens West (January/February 2010 issue) features the garden of Susan Evans and Ted Harrison on Saltspring Island.

Susan is actively involved with Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island. A portion of her garden is dedicated to a nursery that nutures plants which are sold to raise funds for Seeds for Malawi. The money raised is directed to African Aids Angels Victoria and these funds provide the majority of support for our hard working volunteers in Malawi.

The article provides a beautiful tour of the garden and will inspire angel volunteers who are gardeners and even those who are not. The magazine is on the newstands now. You can also read about the activities of this group in their report which appears monthly on our blog.

Part of the article is currently online.

Congratulations to Susan, Ted and Seeds for Malawi!

Supplies Availability

Happy New Year to all!

Please note that angel-making supplies from Lorraine and Vic will not be available from Jan. 12 to about Feb. 6.

If you need supplies, please make arrangements to pick them up between now and Jan. 12. Ditto for pickup and delivery of angels.

If you need to pick up or drop off between Jan. 12 and Feb. 6, please contact us at africanaidsangels@gmail.com

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Lorraine and Vic

Angel Making Cancelled - one time only

The Cordova Bay Angel Making session on February 17, 2010 has been cancelled because it is Ash Wednesday. It will meet January 20, 2010 and continue to meet every third Wednesday starting March 17, 2010.

Donations as Gifts

Looking for a thoughtful gift this holiday season? You can acknowledge your friends or co-workers - and help others at the same time - by making a donation to African AIDS Angels.

Like many charities we are experiencing a decrease in funds raised this year. As much as we in Canada have been affected by economic conditions, people in southern Africa have been affected even more. We wish to sustain the support for our four projects in these difficult times and you can help us.

Please consider making a donation this month by cheque, or on our website by credit card.

Individual contributions of $15 and up are eligible for a Gift of Hope card in the name of a friend or relative. African AIDS Angels will send the card to you for forwarding, or directly to a name and address you provide. An image of the card is on our website.

Contact africanaidsangels@gmail.com for more information.

Cheques made out to African AIDS Angels should be mailed

c/o 1855 Neil St.
Victoria BC V8R 3C6.

Thank you.

New Web Address

We have a new web address at

www.aidsangelsvictoria.ca.

The appearance is a little different but the site has the same content as before.

The old address will still work for the time being.

We will be revising some printed materials to show the new address including name tags and rack cards, but angel-makers can use up the stock you have now. For out-of-town people, we will let you know when the new files are ready.

Where to Find Angels & Where to Donate Jewellery

Here are some opportunities to find angels in Victoria in the next few weeks:

• Curves Oak Bay and Curves View Royal will be selling angels for the Christmas Season.
• Shops carrying a small supply of angels all year are listed on our website.

If you have any extra costume jewellery or fancy buttons that you would like to donate, we can put them to good use as Angel decorations.
Drop them off at

James Bay Community Project
547 Michigan Ave, Victoria

or email us for other drop-off locations.

Fabric

Here is a rare opportunity. We don't usually ask for fabric but now we are in need.

We have had a busy season and our supplies of suitable patterned fabrics is running low. If you think you have something suitable please go through the check list below.

It is really helpful if you assist in sorting the material before we get it. Remember, our volunteers will be handling these materials in their own homes and space is limited.

Fabric Check List for Angels

• brightly coloured
• patterned
• ethnic look preferred
• real African fabric always needed
• many quilting fabrics are excellent, batik look, Bali patterns
• non-fraying (cut an edge and try to fray it)
• maximum amount: 1 yard of each piece

Please: no clothing, no lace

If you have something suitable or have friends who would be interested in donating, contact africanaidsangels@gmail.com for delivery directions.

Notes from Pender Island

We have lost the queen-pin of our angel-making for the time being. Rosemary is recovering in hospital from a sudden illness. The dedicated group of angel-makers has risen to this reality and is helping to carry Rosemary's current ideas to fruition. You may have noticed the beautiful display in the Driftwood Centre window in November, carried out mostly by Barb Chester and Janice Erno. Thanks to everyone for carrying the torch!
On December 5th these women and others will be selling the angels at the Christmas Sale at the Anglican Hall from 10am to 3pm. And the angels will be at the usual outlets, Talisman and Sladen's. We also have gift cards, if you would like to make a larger donation in someone's name, as a gift. Call Mary at 6431, if you are interested in this. These little angels make a lovely gift at Christmas time.
Mary R.