Old Orchard Blossoms

Old Orchard Blossoms

In solidarity with Grandmothers in Africa through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation

Shop

Many of the items we sell are Fair Trade. When you purchase Fair Trade items not only do you support the grandmothers in Africa, but also craftspeople in developing countries who are guaranteed fair wages...
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Donate

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE…  Are you interested in donating to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign? $0.90 of every $1 goes directly to grassroots organizations in Africa, which support grandmothers. All donations over $20 will receive...
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Join Us

Are you interested in joining the Old Orchard Blossoms? We always welcome new members, grandmothers and “grand-others” – and new ideas. We meet on the second or third Monday afternoon of each month at the Church of St. Timothy,...
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About Us and Our Partners

Old Orchard Blossoms

Inspired by the amazing grandmothers from Africa at the Grandmothers Gathering in Toronto, in 2006, a handful of women at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church decided to support the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and its Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign . Our mandate is to raise awareness of the supportive role grandmothers play in the HIV and AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and to raise funds to assist grassroots projects run by and for grandmothers who are supporting their grandchildren and other orphans. These grandmothers are central to the life of their communities and to a whole generation of children. In the face of discrimination based on gender, age, and HIV status, they are courageous advocates for their families and communities.


Since 2006, our numbers have grown  and we have expanded to include women from the community. To date, we have raised close to $400,000 – our contribution to the more than $40 million raised for the Grandmothers Campaign by grandmothers in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. This money has been raised through a variety of projects such as concerts, pub nights, author talks, wine tasting, afternoon tea, an African dinner and sales of greeting cards, crafts, quilts, jewelry, books and milkweed plants, and by participating each year in the national fundraising walk, Stride to Turn the Tide.

Stephen Lewis Foundation

The Stephen Lewis Foundation is a progressive, feminist organization rooted in the principles of social justice, international solidarity, and substantive equality. The SLF was created with the express purpose of supporting community-led organizations working on the frontlines of the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
Many of these grassroots organizations were originally formed by small groups of individuals responding to the crisis AIDS had wrought in their own lives and in the lives of their neighbours. Over the years, they have developed into thriving local institutions with deep connections to their communities. The SLF’s community-led partners are turning the tide of HIV and AIDS by providing care and support to women, orphaned children, LGBTIQ individuals, grandmothers and people living with HIV and AIDS.

Since 2003, the SLF has partnered with 335 community-led organizations on more than 2100 initiatives in the 15 countries in Africa that have been hardest hit by HIV and AIDS.

Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign

The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign was launched in 2006, as an initiative of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, in response to the emerging crisis faced by grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2006, more than $40 million has been raised in support of grandmothers and the community-led organizations who support them.

Other Toronto and GTA Grandmother Groups

There are several grandmother groups in Toronto and we all support the same cause – the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. We often put on events or sales together, and each group is involved in selling original items to support our work. All groups welcome new members. You might be interested in checking out these other groups:

Grandmothers Partnering with Africa https://grandmotherspartneringwithafrica.com/

Brookbanks for African Grannies

Toronto Grandmothers Embrace https://torontograndmothersembrace.ca/

Togogos https://www.togogograns.org/

Gugu Gogos

Upcoming Events

t-buds afternoon tea gift certificates on sale now!

During May, we are once again selling gift certificates for a “Classic Afternoon Tea for One” at T-buds tea shop, located at 3343 Yonge Street (north of Lawrence).  Gift certificates are $45 each (including tax).

Each tea service includes:

  • 5 tea sandwiches
  • a Mediterranean-inspired chickpea salad
  • a savoury mushroom pastry
  • 2 freshly-baked scones served with jam and crème mascarpone 
  • a macaron and petit four (mini-desserts)
  • loose leaf tea of your choice (or in tea bag form for take out)

Options are eat-in at the restaurant (reservation required) or take-out (boxed). Gift certificates are good  through April 30, 2026 (excluding May 10 & 11, 2025, Mother’s Day).

Get a head start on gift giving for the next year and support the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers Campaign and support a local business.  These will make a great birthday gift, teacher gift, Christmas / Hanukkah gift, mother-daughter/son outing or a date with your bestie.

T-buds is generously donating a portion of each tea gift certificate to the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers Campaign. We thank them for their generous support.

To order, please reply to me or send an email to:  OldOrchardBlossoms@gmail.com.  Order deadline is May 31, 2025.

Once you have a certificate, contact T-buds to make a reservation or request a boxed afternoon-tea-to-go. Please mention that you have a gift certificate.

Thank you for your support!

Please join us on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 when Margaret MacMillan will be speaking on “How can history help us understand the present?”

What could be more relevant?  Margaret MacMillan is a Massey lecturer, best-selling author, world-renowned historian, sought-after speaker, and professor emeritus of history.  “MacMillan is a wry and humane chronicler of this troubled world.” (London Review of Books) 

Where:                729 St Clair Ave West, Toronto (St. Matthew’s United Church — street parking available or TTC) When: 6:30 Marketplace 7:30 Talk by Margaret MacMillan, Q&A to follow Tickets:  $30

To purchase tickets on Eventbrite, CLICK HERE.  Wed Sept 17 might seem pretty far away, but we are anticipating a sell-out evening, so don’t miss it. All proceeds to the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers’ Campaign.  Presented by the Old Orchard Blossoms and Togogo grandmothers.

Hope to see you there.

Join Us

Are you interested in joining the Old Orchard Blossoms? We always welcome new members, grandmothers and “grand-others” – and new ideas. We meet on the second or third Monday afternoon of each month at the Church of St. Timothy, North Toronto. For more information on our group, send us a message on the Contact Us page or email us at oldorchardblossoms@gmail.com

BECOME A FRIEND – Meetings aren’t your thing? Consider becoming a “Friend of the Old Orchard Blossoms” and volunteer during events. We will keep you posted on upcoming events and sales.