Ontario members supported IODE Community Services Department
Since 1900, IODE has sent necessities to those in need, both at home and abroad
In Ontario, the Provincial Chapter has gathered, packed and shipped needed articles since 1938. The statistics regarding the total War effort were staggering: $5,365,440 and over 2 million of that figure came from the chapters in Ontario. However, the real worth lay not in the material values, but in the spirit that inspired and sustained members through the years of the war. A large part of the work was to fill the Service Libraries. Books and magazines were gathered for every camp, station and on every ship and sent through Geneva to the prisoners of war camps and this continued until 1948.
Today, the value of shipments continued to grow. Boxes are sent to community centres, nursing stations, women’s shelters and schools in remote Northern areas. Articles shipped include many hand-knitted hats, mitts, socks, afghans, sewn quilts and receiving blankets. These are made and donated by members across the province. Baby clothing and layettes are in great demand, as are warm, winter jackets and track suits. Personal hygiene and dental care products, socks, underwear and blankets are also well received.
Today, the value of shipments continued to grow. Boxes are sent to community centres, nursing stations, women’s shelters and schools in remote Northern areas. Articles shipped include many hand-knitted hats, mitts, socks, afghans, sewn quilts and receiving blankets. These are made and donated by members across the province. Baby clothing and layettes are in great demand, as are warm, winter jackets and track suits. Personal hygiene and dental care products, socks, underwear and blankets are also well received.
Articles are shipped to isolated communities in Nunavut, Labrador, and Northern Ontario.
To donate to these programs or any further inquiries about this department email iodeontario@gmail.com
IODE Ontario Service Projects
Below is a summary of services projects IODE Ontario members have participated in over the last 100 years.
To celebrate our 100th anniversary, we prepared the following list of services projects undertaken by IODE Ontario. A few National projects to which Ontario made substantial contributions are also included. This is, by no means, a complete list. Many other projects were tackled. Much of this information was gleaned by reading our annual reports from the last hundred years. Doing this research gave an amazing insight into our past. These projects were only made possible by the hard work, donations and enthusiasm of you and your predecessors, the primary chapter members.
1920 – 1929
Work of the chapters was focused on finding ways to help reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in their communities. This work continued in the 1930’s.
School milk programs – chapters across the province participated in providing milk to under-nourished children in elementary schools. This program also continued into the 1930’s.
Work of the chapters was focused on finding ways to help reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in their communities. This work continued in the 1930’s.
School milk programs – chapters across the province participated in providing milk to under-nourished children in elementary schools. This program also continued into the 1930’s.
1930 – 1939
Much of the services’ work during this decade focused on chapters providing help and equipment to preventoria and sanitoria. A fully-equipped dental railway car toured Northern Ontario.
Much of the services’ work during this decade focused on chapters providing help and equipment to preventoria and sanitoria. A fully-equipped dental railway car toured Northern Ontario.
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1938 to present
IODE Ontario sending parcels to remote northern communities containing warm clothing, footwear, hygiene items, arts & crafts.
IODE Ontario sending parcels to remote northern communities containing warm clothing, footwear, hygiene items, arts & crafts.
1940 – 1945
The War Years – Countless contributions were made by IODE members through their Primary Chapters and at the Provincial and National levels. Here are just a few:
The War Years – Countless contributions were made by IODE members through their Primary Chapters and at the Provincial and National levels. Here are just a few:
- In 1940, chapters in Canada raised over $100,000 in one month to purchase a Bolingbroke Bomber as a gift to the Canadian government. IODE Ontario chapters raised $79,789 of that amount.
- Provincial Cigarette Fund established in 1940 to augment supply of cigarettes sent by chapters to Canadian armed forces in England. Through this fund 398,000 cigarettes were sent in addition to the 1,869,197 cigarettes supplied by individual chapters.
- IODE Camp Libraries – initiated by IODE Canada but managed by IODE Ontario. In 1943 “More Books for the Services” was launched – 68,833 books, 489,372 magazines, 1,284 games & puzzles, 2,169 packs of cards, 67 magazine subscriptions, 728 records, and 1 musical instrument were collected and distributed.
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- Personal Comfort Bags (or Ditty Bags) were supplied to service women in Britain containing talcum powder, colourless nail polish, shampoo, lipstick, soap, toothpaste/brush, facial tissue, comb, nail file, washcloth, handkerchiefs, etc). Children in Britain also received bags containing toothbrush/paste, soap, wash cloth, comb, paper, scissors, pencils, crayons, etc.). Many thousands of ditty bags were provided to the Navy League during the war. In 1943 alone, Ontario chapters sent almost 12,000 ditty bags.
1947
IODE Ontario decided to award a prize to Junior chapters for best layette or sewn article submitted to 1948 Provincial Annual Meeting. Prize - $10 to chapter for best layette; $5 to member for best sewn article.
IODE Ontario decided to award a prize to Junior chapters for best layette or sewn article submitted to 1948 Provincial Annual Meeting. Prize - $10 to chapter for best layette; $5 to member for best sewn article.
1948
Provincial Food Parcel Fund for Britain established. Through this fund enough food was purchased to make up 217 parcels valued at $1,168. In addition to money, chapters sent actual food parcels to the Provincial office for re-shipment to Britain.
Provincial Food Parcel Fund for Britain established. Through this fund enough food was purchased to make up 217 parcels valued at $1,168. In addition to money, chapters sent actual food parcels to the Provincial office for re-shipment to Britain.
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1951 – 1953
Korean Project Fund - Following the armistice in the Korean Police Action, IODE established the Korean Project Fund. Ontario members shared in buying a Willy’s cargo carrier for transporting our goods to Korea and sometimes to serve as an ambulance. A TB machine was provided and tons of milk powder were shipped for Korean children. More than $22,000 was raised by Ontario chapters over the years of the work in Korea. |
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1952
Three IODE departments, Child & Family Welfare, Ex- Service Personnel and Post War Services were amalgamated to form “Services at Home and Abroad”. This was changed to “Services” in 1969.
Three IODE departments, Child & Family Welfare, Ex- Service Personnel and Post War Services were amalgamated to form “Services at Home and Abroad”. This was changed to “Services” in 1969.
1954 – 1955
Greece suffered 2 earthquakes. IODE Ontario shipped more than 30 crates filled with quilts, new and used clothing to aid the victims.
Greece suffered 2 earthquakes. IODE Ontario shipped more than 30 crates filled with quilts, new and used clothing to aid the victims.
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1954
Hurricane Hazel caused disastrous floods in the Holland Marsh. IODE members in Bradford established an emergency food depot and took many of the victims into their own homes. Area chapter members worked with other organizations and served approx. 3,000 meals a day for 3 weeks for the homeless and men working on the dykes. Ontario chapters raised $15,970 for flood relief. |
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1957
165 cases of clothing and bedding were sent to England as part of the ongoing war relief work following WWII for distribution by the hospitals. Food parcels were also sent for families.
165 cases of clothing and bedding were sent to England as part of the ongoing war relief work following WWII for distribution by the hospitals. Food parcels were also sent for families.
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1967 to present
Toys for the North Fund - a special fund to which Primary Chapters donate for the purchase of toys to be sent to remote Northern communities for Christmas. Chapters also donate actual toys. 1968
MEND program started to support the Ontario Government’s program of Services for Children with Mental and Emotional Disorders. IODE members provided a variety of equipment as well as volunteering their time in waiting rooms, driving children to clinics, etc. This program lasted more than a decade. |
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1971
IODE Ontario's 50th Anniversary Project - Funds were raised to build and furnish a community hall in Attawapiskat on James Bay. 1972
Attawapiskat - Phase II - Supported a program providing courses in sewing, nutrition, child health care and other homemaking skills. There was also a program in agriculture development and a greenhouse was provided. |
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1973
Anti-venereal disease educational program was launched. Booths were set up in public locations and information provided about V.D. and its treatment. This program was developed with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health.
Anti-venereal disease educational program was launched. Booths were set up in public locations and information provided about V.D. and its treatment. This program was developed with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health.
1975 - 2015
The IODE Ontario Concern for Children Fund was established in celebration of IODE Canada’s 75th anniversary. This fund was used to pay for genetic counselling initiatives. Some results from the Concern for Children Fund:
The IODE Ontario Concern for Children Fund was established in celebration of IODE Canada’s 75th anniversary. This fund was used to pay for genetic counselling initiatives. Some results from the Concern for Children Fund:
- 3 two-year fellowships for study of genetics provided, valued at $50,000 each
- Genetic counselling clinics established in 6 northern communities
- IODE Genetic Research Centre established at London’s University Hospital
- Canadian Directory of Genetic Support Groups created
- Website launched
- Interactive display at Science North in Sudbury created
1982
Over $12,000 was raised for hearing testing equipment for the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre
Over $12,000 was raised for hearing testing equipment for the Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre
1987 to present
Footwear for Kids - a special fund to which Primary Chapters donate for the purchase of boots, running shoes, socks, etc. to be sent to remote Northern communities.
Footwear for Kids - a special fund to which Primary Chapters donate for the purchase of boots, running shoes, socks, etc. to be sent to remote Northern communities.
1997
Children’s Cancer Camp Fund established. The goal was to raise $60,000 over 3 years to build a winterized camper cabin at Camp Trillium, Rainbow Lake, Waterford. Robert Bateman donated a limited edition print to IODE Ontario to be used to help raise the funds.
Children’s Cancer Camp Fund established. The goal was to raise $60,000 over 3 years to build a winterized camper cabin at Camp Trillium, Rainbow Lake, Waterford. Robert Bateman donated a limited edition print to IODE Ontario to be used to help raise the funds.
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1998 - 2001
You Can’t Beat a Kid - Campaign to prevent child abuse and neglect. This project was undertaken to support IODE Canada’s 100th Anniversary Grant Program. Through the sale of buttons imprinted with the slogan, You Can’t Beat a Kid, and chapter donations, nearly $26,000 was raised during this period. |
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2000 - 2003
The Children’s Cancer Fund, having met its goal, was closed. Members voted to continue this worthwhile project and a new project, the Rainbow Lake Cancer Camp Fund, was launched. Swing sets, a sailboat, a teepee and 1,300 camper t-shirts were provided during this period.
The Children’s Cancer Fund, having met its goal, was closed. Members voted to continue this worthwhile project and a new project, the Rainbow Lake Cancer Camp Fund, was launched. Swing sets, a sailboat, a teepee and 1,300 camper t-shirts were provided during this period.
2006
Carla Can Sing - project initiated by a non-profit oncology organization to create a kit to help children coping with cancer. The kit contained a doll (with removable hair), illustrated booklet on the treatment process and a DVD. IODE Ontario was asked for 1,000 backpacks to hold the materials.
Carla Can Sing - project initiated by a non-profit oncology organization to create a kit to help children coping with cancer. The kit contained a doll (with removable hair), illustrated booklet on the treatment process and a DVD. IODE Ontario was asked for 1,000 backpacks to hold the materials.
2015
Celebrating Service Animals - 5 year project announced. Chapters were asked to consider supporting service animals/organizations.
Celebrating Service Animals - 5 year project announced. Chapters were asked to consider supporting service animals/organizations.
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2018
Project Fun - Funds were raised by Ontario Primary Chapters and playground equipment was purchased for the Good Shepherd Family Centre in Hamilton. 2019
Project Fun Phase 2 Play it Forward was announced. The need for sports equipment in remote Northern communities is being explored. |
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The total value of services work over 100 years for IODE Ontario chapters
(converted to 2019 dollars)
(converted to 2019 dollars)