Recent Donations

We have been fortunate to receive two big donations this year so far.

• The $5000 prize Nathan How won for the 14-17 year old category in the Canadian Living Me to We contest has been received. Check out the October issue of Canadian Living magazine for interviews with the winners. [see original blog item on May 27 for details]
• As Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island closed down its operations, the group gave $5000 to African AIDS Angels in addition to their last allocations to Malawi. [see previous blog item for details]

Both amounts will be added to the disbursements we make in January 2013 from 2012 funds. Thanks very much to all involved.

Supply depot in Victoria

The supply depot has returned to Vic and Lorraine Parsons' until the end of the year. It's the pick-up point in Victoria for angel supplies (bodies and glue), for completed angels for sales & shops, as well as the drop-off point for completed angels.

• Vic & Lorraine Parsons
• 1473 Banff Place (off Doncaster), map
• 250-472-6499
• lvparsons@shaw.ca

Cut or uncut cloth is available. If you want some for angel-making and can pick it up, contact africanaidsangels@gmail.com

Saltspring Seeds for Malawi

We have sent our annual donation to our partner group in Mzuzu, Malawi. This consists of $3000 from African AIDS Angels for nutrition support, and $9228 from Seeds for Malawi on Saltspring Island for school fees and support to farm groups.

Since this is the last time that Seeds for Malawi will be sending money, the group sent some additional financial gifts to the recipients and volunteer organizers in Malawi. The organizers in Malawi decided earlier that they have the capacity to continue with nutrition support, but not the other aspects of the program.

The September issue of Seeds for Malawi's newsletter which includes more details is at right. [Click on the image to enlarge, and press Control and + to enlarge further.]

When we receive some photo results from filmmaker Peter Kepkay's trip to Malawi, we will share them. A quote from him in the newsletter emphasizes the gratitude that the recipients expressed for your support.

African AIDS Angels will still support the nutrition component of this program, so our relationship with Malawi will continue.

Angel-making at University of Victoria

The angel-making group started by Megan at the University of Victoria in 2011 is back for the new school year.

Sessions are Tuesday evenings from September 18 to December 4, at 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Student Union Building Room B205. That's on the lower floor.

Everyone is welcome whether students or not. Instruction will be provided for newcomers. Thank you Megan and helpers!

Where to find angels in September

Looking for angels?

You can find a rack of them throughout the year at the shops listed on our website. There will be more added in the pre-Christmas season.

This month angels will be available at Metchosin Days on Sunday September 9, 4440 Happy Valley Road. Big thanks go to Ruth for organizing this annual table at the fall fair.

Quality Control for Angel-makers

We are approaching the busy season for angel "sales" and need lots of angels. Since our purpose is raising funds, we need to offer angels that donors will admire and want to select.

 If you are an angel-maker, please note the following:

• All parts of an angel need to be stable. The completed angel will be packed in a box and moved so the clothing and decoration may shift, sometimes making it less attractive. To make angels stable, all parts should be glued sufficiently, especially

• the cape glued at the bottom back to the dress
• the wings glued to the body or cape in several places, not just the centre
• all folded layers glued to each other
• dangling jewelry glued so it doesn't move or swing

• After considerable experience, we can report that feathers do not sell well. While a few angels with feathers may be desirable for variety, their use should be very sparing
• The neck should have no wood showing through. Use a narrow ribbon for a finished look at the neck.

Your attention to these adjustments will make our sales and fund-raising more productive. Thanks!