IODE fashion fundraiser gets full house again

From left, Sharon Bywater, Melissa Howard, Ann Earl and Ann Alexander with fashions at the IODE Fashion Show & Luncheon held at the Harbour House on April 12.

Photo by Jen MacLellan

By Staff Writer - Gulf Islands Driftwood
Published: April 18, 2012 10:00 AM
Updated: April 18, 2012 10:35 AM

A sell-out crowd attended the 2012 version of the IODE Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Harbour House on April 12.

Guests were welcomed by IODE president Florence Wiseman, with the fashion show co-ordinated by IODE member Debra Olson, and Mouat’s Clothing Co,’s Marnie McAughtrie. Makeup support came from from Spa by Lenice and hair styling by Studio One.

According to Lucile Adderley, the local IODE chapter’s communications officer, models Ann Earl, Ann Alexander, Melissa Howard, Susan de Stein, Pauline McCarthy and Sharon Bywater displayed over 24 stunning spring outfits from Mouat’s Clothing Co.

IODE HMS Ganges Chapter, part of a national organization, has 25 members on Salt Spring and is the longest established women’s charitable group on the island.

“The fashion shows have taken place for more than 25 years and have been a major fundraiser, supporting many community needs such as snack foods for schools, the food bank, school library books, Transition House, Greenwoods, and others,” said Adderley.

By Christine Lyon - South Delta Leader
Published: April 13, 2012 10:00 AM

A small group of South Delta women is making a big difference in the community.

The Boundary Bay Chapter of IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire), which formed in 2006, has 16 members and does fundraising and service work in support of local schools, the Stroke Recovery Association–Delta branch, the South Delta Food Bank, community meals and provincial and national IODE programs.

The Boundary Bay group is one of 15 chapters of the century-old Canadian women’s charitable organization in B.C.

Local members say they are drawn by the camaraderie, the opportunity to give back to the community, and the flexible nature of the service group.

“We’re a small group and we’re very flexible in accommodating the ability of members, the time they have to volunteer, whether it’s for service or to help with fundraising,” said member Frances Dickson. “Any woman is welcome to join us,” she added.

Dickson says the group aims to raise up to $8,000 per year, which is distributed to a number of different charities and organizations. And with overhead costs next to nothing, she says 99 per cent of money raised goes straight to the cause.

Currently IODE Boundary Bay is gearing up for one of its biggest events of the year—a bridge fundraiser, to be held April 25 at All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner.

The group hopes to set up 17 tables, with four bridge players to a table. At $10 a head, the event could raise close to $700.

IODE members will be serving coffee, tea and tasty treats, such as halfway squares—one of member Marg Allan’s dessert creations.

Women interested in learning more about the Boundary Bay Chapter of IODE may contact the group’s vice-president and membership coordinator Diane Ritchie at queenofpearls@dccnet.com.

Halfway squares

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg, separated
1 1/2 tsp cold water
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 package chocolate chips
 

Directions

Mix butter and white sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolk, water and vanilla. Mix in flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder thoroughly. Press in 8×8 inch pan. Top with chocolate chips. Beat egg white until stiff. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup brown sugar. Spread over top. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

  British Columbia

      IODE Chapters

IODE British Columbia

6200 McKay Ave Suite 141-921

                Burnaby, BC V5H 4M9        

                                Email: iodeinbc@telus.net

IODE Police Community Relations Awards

From IODE British Columbia

Constable Len Van Nieuwenhuizen

2009 

Constable Van Nieuwenhuizen accepts Police Award from IODE British Columbia

Const Van Nieuwenhuizen is well known for Managing the Crime Prevention/Victim Services unit of downtown Chilliwack Community Policing Office.Working with the Chilliwack Downtown Business Improvement Association keeping the downtown core safe. With landlords through Crime Free Multi Housing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Notable accomplishment the prevention of further destruction and vandalizing of the old courthouse in downtown Chilliwack. Involved with Citizens on Patrol in Chilliwack, Promontory, Cultus Lake, Yarrow and the Chilliwack River Valley area. Helping establish, mentor, coach and train the groups make Cultus Lake a family destination for permanent residents and visiting families.Taken an active role with the RCMP Youth Academy for the past nine years. The Youth Academy run during Spring Break with 50 candidates from high schools in Sechelt, Squamish, Ridge Meadows, Mission, Chilliwack, Agassiz, Hope and Langley, to provide insight into RCMP training at Depot in Regina. Candidates come away with confidence and greater self esteem making them better role models and citizens of our communities.has been the “go to” person in dealing with community concerns He models the Principles of Community Policing and the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the Force. He is very highly regarded by the Mayor and Council of Chilliwack. Works with volunteers in dealing with such programs as Block Watch, Victim Services and Restorative Justice.also finds countless volunteer hours to exchange his police hat for a sports hat. He spends many days, nights and weekends coaching soccer, basketball and hockey for the community and with his children.a diligent and dedicated member of the Force. Extremely committed to Community Policing, making Chilliwack and area a safe place to live and work for everyone.

2010

Corporal Michael Adrian Spencer

Auto Crime Target Team - Surrey Municipal Detachment 

Cpl. Spencer accepts IODE Community Police Award from Noreen Gullacher of IODE British Columbia

Cpl. Spencer grew up in Surrey-Delta area. He volunteered at the Community Police Office in Delta and then joined as a Reserve police officer with Delta Police. With the goal to be an RCMP officer. November 1997 Cpl Spencer became a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Serving all his time in Surrey, both uniformed and plainclothes investigative capacity. Proudly wearing his uniform and a pride back into the community. Including participating in Remembrance Day and Canada Day wearing his red serge.

Cpl Spencer’s attention to National RCMP Priority is Youth, a focus on early intervention, coupled with his strong belief in the core values of the Force - integrity, professionalism, respect and cooperation - have guided him in his everyday life and his service to his community.

He has volunteered with Surrey Elementary School Sports Program for 6 years . Surrey School District is the largest in BC with 104 elementary schools. During days off, organizes basketball and hockey games between RCMP officers and students. Games held weekly, rotating through the elementary schools. He contacts schools, organizes playing officers, and equipment for games. The games foster a positive, non-threatening image of police officers. Students look forward to their annual game. The atmosphere in the schools on “Mounties” game day is electrifying. In some the entire school come to cheer. Creating banners, sing school songs, and demonstrate a heartfelt spirit. Cpl Spencer at each game presents most sportsmanlike award for student players that display that extra effort in the game that is independent of their ability to play.

The program touches thousands of kids each year in a positive and lasting way. At end of school year, he delivers a trophy to the school that shows the most positive school spirit on the day they play against the officers.

Done Halloween Safety Talk for Kindergarten students for 10 years . His demeanor and interaction is at their understanding level and ultimately a great experience. The talk hits home with the kids what hazards are out there and how they can conduct themselves in a safe manner. Cpl Spencer partners with an insurance agency supply free reflective trick-or-treat bags .

Cpl Spencer speaks to students at the primary level on Career Days. His ability to communicate with the kids has them in awe of what police officers do and how they help society. He has received many thank-you cards, they are an example of a positive, lasting effect that he has left on their young lives.

Cpl Spencer coached soccer to youth 6 to 16 and baseball in a community-based league prior to having any children of his own.

Cpl. Mike Spencer is as an RCMP officer personifying the idea of service to others. He is so giving of himself and is the epitome of selflessness.

Are You Interested in Joining

a Women’s Charitable Organization?

 Join a New IODE Chapter

starting in

Chilliwack or Vernon

 IODE is a Canadian women’s charitable organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals, through education support, community service and citizenship programs.

  For more information contact:

Web sites 

IODE Canada  www.iode.ca 

IODE British Columbia www.iodeinbc.ca

bookmark2

 READ FOR LIFE LITERACY INITIATIVE

Read for Life  an exciting literacy program initiated by  IODE Canada in 2005. IODE embraced a newspaper challenge “to make Canada the most literate nation in the world”. Members across Canada launched their own literacy projects during IODE Awareness Week, October 29th to November 5th, 2005.

Studies on early learning state, “the early years, from birth to age six, have the most important influence at any time in the life cycle on brain development and subsequent learning behaviour.” In the first year, Read for Life focused on literacy for children from birth to 6 years of age. In the second year, children from 7 to 14 years of age were the target, and in the third year, youth to adults benefited from the Read for Life Program. IODE chapters have chosen to carry on this program indefinitely.

It is Never Too Early

It’s never too early to read to a child. An Early Years Study by one provincial government states that “it is clear that the early years of a child, from birth to age six, have the most important influence of any time in the life cycle on brain development and subsequent learning behaviour and health”.

Numerous studies confirm that reading to infants not only boosts speech and language development, but overall intelligence as well. By the time children are two years old, they understand 300 to 500 words. Children who have larger vocabularies are better readers. A child who cannot read has very few options for the future.

Some Facts About Non-Readers

1. Children who cannot read by the end of Grade 3 are more likely to fall behind and have low self esteem.
2. Children who do not learn to read in elementary school are more likely to have significant health problems as adults. (Ottawa Citizen 21 November 2006)
3. More than 20% of high school graduates lack the literacy skills needed for entry- level jobs.
4. 9 million Canadians, age 16 to 65 (12 million of Canadians over 65 are included), score below the desirable threshold of literacy performance, according to a 2003 Statistics Canada report. Than means, the lack of reading skills is holding them back in the workplace; 3.2 million can’t read a job application, medicine bottle, an election ballot or their child’s report card. (Toronto Star 10 Oct 2006), and fail to comply with medical directions and errors in administration of infant formula.
5. People with low literacy skills are twice as likely to be unemployed and up to 50 per cent of adults with low literacy skills live in low-income households.
6. Literacy problems cost Canadians $10 billion per year!

Focus On Literacy

The ideas are plentiful and whether it is a one-time only or on-going project, IODE chapters across Canada support the goal of making Canada the most literate nation in the world. IODE literacy projects across Canada have been supported with:

1. Donations of Born to Read Book Bags and Books for Babies Kits

2. The purchase of books for prizes, schools, libraries and hospitals

3. Support of reading festivals with gifts of books

4. Support of reading clubs

5. Donations of puppets to enhance pre-school story time

6. Distribution of books to young families

7. Participation in school reading programs

8. Assistance with displays of award winning books in libraries

9. Distribution of Read for Life bookmarks

IODE Glaucoma Centre 

The IODE Glaucoma Centre was built in 1982, as part of the Vancouver General Hospital Eye Centre from $300,000.00 investment from IODE. Since 1982  IODE has  donated more than half a milllion dollars for equipment or further research.   Dr. Mikelburg demonstates a piece of equipment provided by IODE   This fund is open to receive donations. Send donations to :   IODE British Columbia 6200 McKay Ave Suite 141-921                 Burnaby, BC V5H 4M9

                     Penticton, BC 

IODE members presenting cheque to Rebecca McLeod at the front of their shop

 

 

Since 1998 the chapter has donated more than $103,000 to Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation towards equipment. In 2009 $5000 was donated towards a new CT Scanner.

If you would like to support the good work of IODE, the ladies would welcome a visit to their Thrift shop at 670 Baker Street, Nelson, BC. The shop is open 6 days a week, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

When you are visiting Nelson stop in and say “hello”.

 Kelowna, BC 

 IODE Dr. WJ Knox chapter runs their IODE Thrift Shop on Ellis Street in Kelowna.

History of Mary Emerson Trust Fund

Emerson House was an IODE home for senior ladies, located at 2029 West 15th Avenue, in Vancouver, BC. It was owned and operated by the Provincial Chapter of British Columbia IODE, in conjunction with the “IODE Emerson House Society”.  It was a charming older home close to churches, shopping, post office, beauty parlor and theatre. The living room was comfortably furnished and guests were encouraged to enjoy TV, piano and a happy social life in these home like surroundings. Tea was served every afternoon at three o’clock from a silver tea service. There were 9 guests, each had her own bedroom. Meals were served in an attractively furnished dining room. The cuisine was excellent. It was operated as a private home. Only ambulatory guests were accepted as the residence was not licensed as a nursing home.

Different IODE Chapters would help with entertaining the ladies. Some would have an evening of bingo and bring refreshments - other Chapters would provide a movie night which usually consisted of slides taken while an IODE member was away on holidays. At that time there was an IODE Choir, they would often visit and entertain the guests. Christmas gifts were provided for the residents and staff. The IODE Chairman of the Emerson House visited often to see that things were running smoothly and residents were happy.

A Committee representing the Provincial Chapter and IODE Emerson House Society supervised the operation of the home and a staff member was in residence at all times.

The property was a gift to the Provincial Chapter by Mrs Mary Emerson, a member of the RAF Silver Jubilee IODE Chapter of Vancouver. It was her wish that the home be maintained as a guest home for elderly ladies. Emerson House was not restricted to IODE members.

Eventually Emerson House was sold and property on Kingway was purchased with the intention of building an IODE senior residence. Due to many changes which put too many restrictions on the facility the property was sold and the major portion of the proceeds became the Mary Emerson Trust Fund. A fund which provides assistance to seniors facilities.