Early Bird Tickets Sales Begin for Gems & Java

Thursday, 14 March 2024 at 05:47

Tickets currently cost $60, but that price will increase to $65 on April 2nd.

WOODSTOCK - Gems and Java is back for its 13th year in the Friendly City.

It's going to be happening at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church on Saturday April 27th this year with all of the funds supporting Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia.

Founder Shelley Green says you'll be able to do some shopping and learn something new.

"We have a great silent auction, we have delicious finger foods, there is an Ethiopian coffee ceremony as well as an Ethiopian Merkato which will have items that women have made in Ethiopia for sale. We'll also have a presentation about the programs we are funding in Ethiopia and the needs in Ethiopia."

The Bags and Bobbles boutique will also return this year with lots of gently used jewelry, purses, and scarves to choose from. Each ticket to the event includes one free item from the boutique.

Tickets are currently on sale for an early bird price of $60 each, but it will increase to $65 each on April 2nd. If you're planning on going with a group of people you can purchase a table of eight for $460, and that price remains the same regardless if you're buying it in the early bird time frame.

Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling 519-535-9535.

Green says the money raised here in Oxford County has a huge impact in Ethiopia.

"When you make a donation of $100, that $100 goes a long way in Ethiopia. As an example, we figure it's maybe around $15,000 a year to raise a child in Canada, but it's about $1,000 there."

Tesfa's Shelter is a shelter for children, and Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia offers $1,000 sponsorship packages so you can help a child overseas.

Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia also funds prolapse uterus surgeries for women in need. Green says this surgery costs about $5,000 here in Canada, but it only costs $450 in Ethiopia.

You can learn more about the projects through Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia online here.

Shelley Green stopped by the Heart FM studio to chat with Dan and Marcie on Wednesday March 13th. You can listen to the full interview below: