IODE is a national women’s charitable organization, with a nearly 119-year history.
But local membership is dwindling, with only seven members who actively attend monthly meetings, and most fundraising activities have had to be suspended.
“We’re not as visible any more,” said Pat Winnacott, chapter president of the West Gwillimbury IODE, adding the local group was once "huge," with more than 60 active members.
Now, Winnacott and former IODE national president Chris Bateman, who grew up in Bradford West Gwillimbury, are hoping to attract a new generation of women interested in supporting education, literacy programs, children’s camps, seniors in nursing homes, and a range of other causes.
“It’s a Canadian women’s organization, but you don’t have to be a Canadian,” said Bateman. IODE is open to any woman of any age.
“Historically, we used to have Children of the Empire,” she noted, but when that “faded away,” the organization opened up to welcome all ages.
“Any woman, in any part of Canada, can join this chapter,” Bateman said. “There is no minimum time commitment; members contribute as much or as little as they are able.”
There is even an e-chapter, online, for women who are unable to attend meetings in person, and an alumna chapter for women who are lifelong members but now reside in long-term care, hospitals or nursing homes.
For the payment of a minimum annual fee, they continue to receive the IODE bi-annual newsletter, The Echo, and other notifications.
“It keeps them in touch,” said Bateman.
In its heyday, IODE held card parties at Bradford United Church as a fundraiser, and an annual Christmas raffle. Its list of activities and charities was lengthy.
The local chapter has supported the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, the Helping Hand Food Bank, BWG Coats for Kids, local high school scholarships, and the new Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket.
It has adopted a Grade 7 class in Nain, N.L., sending not only books but warm hats, mitts, socks and gifts, and funding to support the Snack Pack program.
Today, even with the diminished membership, West Gwillimbury IODE has continued to make a difference. This past year, members presented $500 to the Bradford legion in support of its Raise the Roof campaign, $250 to the Helping Hand Food Bank, and $300 to the grassroots BWG Coats for Kids campaign.
“And we give scholarships every year,” Winnacott noted.
IODE members pick up surplus clothing from the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre’s clothes room to donate to Blue Door Shelters. They supported the Margaret Bahen Hospice at Southlake Regional Health Centre by purchasing a breadmaker and basket of supplies, and they have met needs at Yellow Brick House shelter in York Region, providing everything from bedding, to bus tickets.
And each year, instead of exchanging Christmas gifts, members purchase gifts for residents at Bradford Valley Care Community, who don’t have family nearby.
“We’re not a single-issue organization. There’s something in it for everybody,” said Bateman. Best of all, she said, each chapter has the autonomy to choose its own focus, voting each year on which organizations to support.
IODE was founded in 1900 in Canada by Montreal resident Margaret Polson Murray to provide support for Canadian soldiers and sailors fighting in South Africa for the British Empire during the Boer War, and to assist their families at home.
That focus was reflected in the name: Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire.
It was a pretty limited scope of interest, especially since the Boer War ended on May 31, 1902 – but by then, the Imperial Order Daughters of Empire were fighting different battles. They supported a domestic science school in Bombay (Mumbai) in India, offered scholarships, and they took aim at a major health scourge of the day: tuberculosis.
Over the years, they supported sanatoria facilities for the treatment of tuberculosis, and preventoria institutions for children exposed but not yet showing symptoms of the dread disease. They provided scholarships for the arts, support for libraries, a memorial fund for the children of disabled veterans, and, during the Second World War, supported two children’s hospitals in Britain.
The women of IODE raised funds for the war effort, provided relief for displaced persons, and, closer to home, provided relief for victims of flooding and Hurricane Hazel.
In the 1970s, the organization became simply IODE – a premiere women’s organization, focusing on education, civics, and services for children and seniors.
The West Gwillimbury Chapter IODE was founded in 1949, and it will celebrate its 70th anniversary in November of next year.
Winnacott originally joined IODE in Woodstock. When she and her husband Frank moved to Bradford in 1983, “I thought, 'I am so lonely here!'” she said. Then she saw an ad in the local paper looking for members for the West Gwillimbury chapter – and rejoined.
Bateman said she has been particularly involved in the Labrador project, even sending “good books,” warm hats and Christmas gifts to the children.
“The joy on their faces when they open the box – that’s irreplaceable. It really makes you feel good, when you’re helping these people,” said Bateman, who recently arranged a shipment of Canadian children’s books, including the IODE Violet Downey Book Award winner.
Although chapters still open their meetings with a prayer, which dates back to the early days of IODE, the organization is totally non-denominational.
“We work in harmony without prejudice. That has been our motto for nearly 70 years,” said Bateman.
“IODE has so much to offer its members,” she added. “You will make lifelong friends in your area, develop leadership skills, meet women from across Canada, work with other women to meet local needs, participate in provincial and national projects, learn about health, education, environmental and other issues – and have fun with like-minded women!
“I invite you to join a dynamic women’s charitable organization."
Visit the website or contact Pat Winnacott at 905-775-1348. The West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE meets in the evening of the second Monday of each month.
