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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 6, 2012 · 20 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, Grandmothers show solidarity in their Stride 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, tent- ed 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. ERIC RIEL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog The school generously offered its cafe- taking it in stride: Halton's five grandmother groups once teria and parking again walked in support of African grandmothers, who are caring for their facilities for the grandchildren orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. As part of the Stephen Lewis event. Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, they were among Revera, and a thousands of other grandmothers and grand-others who participated across number of commu- Canada. In Halton, more than 100 walkers participated, raising more than nity grocers and mer- $6,600. Here, Oakville grandmother Wendy Belcher walks with her five chants, provided grandchildren, from left, Wendy, Bethany, Ellie, Hayden Curtis and Geoffrey. snacks and drinks. You can donate to the Halton Team online Drummers raised the energy level and Revera's athletic instructors at www.stridetoturnthetide.ca. -- Submitted by Glenys Reither, led the pre-walk stretch. A `grand' time was Oomama Communications Committee had by all.