Supporting The Women and Children of Ethiopia With Gems and Java Event

Wednesday, 29 January 2020 07:45

Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia is hosting another Gems and Java fundraiser in Woodstock, Now in it's 9th year, the fundraiser supports 6 projects in Ethiopia.

WOODSTOCK - The 9th annual Gems and Java is happening again this year.

The local fundraiser is being put on by Mothers With A Heart For Ethiopia.

Executive Director Shelley Green says it is a fun event to attend, but it is also has a purpose.

"It's a fun event but it's a really meaningful event because it gives people the opportunity to donate to and support the work that we're supporting in Ethiopia for women and children."

Green explains why she started this fundraiser.

"The organization, Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia started out of the adoption of my daughter and when my mother and I went to bring my daughter home from Ethiopia 9 1/2 years ago, we saw abject poverty that we had never seen before. While we were there, I just couldn't not do anything and when I asked our interpreter how we could help, he said, everyone needed to eat, you can feed them, and by them, he meant the kids who were living on the street."

Green says they got to work right away raising money.

"So we were able to raise a lot of money through our friends and family back home and we took a group of kids out for meals, provided clothing and shoe shine kits and we sent 6 boys to boarding schools and that was the start of this organization."

Green says Gems and Java is their biggest fundraiser.

"It is our biggest way to bring in money to support the 6 projects that we are funding in Ethiopia, it is incredible, it is a game changer for us in terms of what we can do in Ethiopia and what we can support in Ethiopia. So when people come out and support our work through ticket sales and then when they are there, they can bid on some great silent auction items, we also have our bags and bobbles boutique, which is gently used items of purses, jewellery and clothing. You get one item complimentary with your ticket and then you can continue to shop."

The event has been a successful fundraiser in the community, raising over $120,000.00 last year and over $90,000 in 2018.

Tickets cost $50.00 each and early bird tickets are $45.00. Tickets will be on sale on Valentines Day at Merrifield Book Shop or you can go online here. Tables can be reserved as well but they must be bought in a group. Gems and Java is happening on Friday April 24th and Saturday April 25th. This is the first time the event is hosted at the Oxford Auditorium in Woodstock.