High Noon luncheon highlights global AIDS response at Grace United Church

Guest speaker Ann Coughlin addresses attendees during the High Noon luncheon at Grace United Church in Tavistock, speaking about the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa and the role Canadian grandmothers play in supporting affected families. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The Tavistock Ministerial Association hosted its monthly High Noon luncheon last week at Grace United Church, drawing a strong turnout for a meal, fellowship and an eye-opening presentation on global health issues.

This month’s luncheon was held in the Grace United Church auditorium, with members of the East Zorra 16th Line Mennonite Church preparing and serving the noon meal. The High Noon program rotates monthly among local churches and regularly features musical entertainment or guest speakers from the community and beyond.

Guest speaker Ann Coughlin of Kitchener addressed the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa and shared how Canadian volunteers are helping support families affected by the disease. Coughlin is involved with Grandmothers to Grandmothers, a community-based group in the Kitchener-Waterloo area that raises awareness and funds to support African grandmothers caring for grandchildren orphaned by AIDS.

The Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign is part of the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, founded in 2008 by Stephen Lewis, a former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and a UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS, along with his daughter. The foundation supports community-level organizations across Africa that provide care and assistance to women, children, grandmothers and people living with HIV/AIDS

Coughlin explained the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign has grown into a global sisterhood, bringing together grandmothers and “grandothers” who believe collective action can make a meaningful difference. While all members are volunteers, participants are encouraged to contribute at a level that suits them, whether through fundraising, advocacy or community engagement. There are no membership fees.

Since 2008, Grandmothers to Grandmothers groups across Canada have raised more than $960,000 to support African grandmothers. Over the same period, the Stephen Lewis Foundation has raised more than $36 million worldwide through the campaign. The foundation has partnered with more than 325 community-based organizations and supported more than 1,800 initiatives in 15 African countries most affected by the global AIDS pandemic.

Coughlin emphasized that, despite progress in treatment and awareness, HIV/AIDS remains a serious and ongoing challenge in many regions, particularly for children born with the virus and for grandparents who assume caregiving roles with limited resources.

Those interested in learning more or making a donation can visit stephenlewisfoundation.org or call 888-203-9990 ext. 0.

The next High Noon luncheon will be held Thursday, Feb. 12. Details will be shared through local church bulletins.