Scrabble players getting out the tiles for 4th annual Salt Spring tourney

Sisters Linda (at left) and Lila Rudachyk take part in a Valentine's Day Scrabble tournament hosted by the island's Grandmothers to Grandmothers group at the Salt Spring Inn on Feb. 14.

Photo by Sean McIntyre

In support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, the Salt Spring Grand(m)others to Grand(m)others Group is sponsoring its Fourth Annual Scrabble Fundraiser in March to help turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Recreational and competitive Scrabble players are invited to participate in a weeklong series of games at the Salt Spring Inn and the Salt Spring Golf Course, starting on March 6 and culminating with final games, a silent auction and a festive evening on March 10.

There are several ways to play and donate: get pledges or pay to play; come to the organized games; or invite some friends in for a private event (schools and senior residences often play this way, in their usual settings). Charitable tax receipts are available.

This fundraiser has been a great success over the last three years, helping islanders contribute more than $30,000 to the Stephen Lewis Foundation in support of African grandmothers who have buried their own children and are courageously raising orphaned grandchildren. In 15 sub-Saharan countries, hundreds of projects funded by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign provide funds for food, school fees and uniforms, income-generating projects, counselling and social support, and even coffins to allow for dignified funerals in areas devastated by HIV/AIDS.

The Scrabble Fundraiser also helps raise the profile of the Grand(m)others Group, which always welcomes new members, who don’t have to be grandmothers.

Pledge forms for the Scrabble Fundraiser can be picked up at the group’s our table at the Salt Spring Film Festival on March 2-4, and at Salt Spring Books anytime before the tournament.

SCRABBLE FUNDRAISER

Turning the Tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa

Games Schedule

March 6 – Salt Spring Inn – 2 p.m.

March 7 – Salt Spring Golf Course – 6 p.m.

March 8 - Salt Spring Inn – 2 p.m.

March 10 - Salt Spring Golf Course – 6 p.m.