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Local IODE members recently honored first responders with gifts of appreciation

Members of the Lord Lascelles Chapter - IODE in Lacombe recently honored several community first responders with gifts of appreciation for their dedicated work.
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Members of the Lord Lascelles Chapter - IODE in Lacombe recently honored several community first responders with gifts of appreciation for their dedicated work.

Local IODE members Mary Lou Wilson and Wendy Holman made the presentations on Dec. 15.

Members of the local IODE chapter, which has been running in Lacombe for 100 years now (it was charted in March of 1922), work on various fundraisers and distribute the funds to many local groups and charities all year long.

They meet at St. Andrew’s United Church on the fourth Tuesday afternoon of each month at 2 p.m., said Wilson, who has been involved with IODE here in Lacombe for 45 years.

“I joined IODE when we moved to Lacombe in 1976,” she said.

“I love volunteering,” she said, adding that she serves on the provincial executive as well. “In the past, I was also provincial president, and I’ve traveled to our national meetings in every province,” she said. “I really do enjoy it - I enjoy the group, and of course, we are always looking for new members,” she added.

The organization supports several community initiatives from Santa’s Anonymous to the FCSS Fill a Fridge and Coats for Kids programs during the holiday season to the Lacombe Community Food Bank throughout the year - plus many others.

“We make sure (the funds) are well-used and well distributed through the community.”

If anyone would like more information about the Lacombe IODE chapter, they can call Wilson at 403-350-6923.

According to IODE.ca, “IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization. Women of all ages, from all walks of life and backgrounds, meet in local chapters for fun, friendship, and community volunteerism.

“Members volunteer with and for people, focusing on children, education, and community services. Each IODE chapter has the autonomy to choose and support projects in its own community. With just a few monthly hours, you can make a difference and form lifelong friendships.

“IODE began 120 years ago when Margaret Polson Murray, a Montrealer, sent telegrams to the mayors of Canada’s major cities asking that they invite influential women in their cities to come together to form an organization to support Canadian soldiers in the Boer War.”

It’s been going strong ever since.

“That’s how it started out, and it just bloomed from there,” explained Wilson, adding that last year IODE members across Alberta raised $100,000 for women’s shelters as a way to mark the organization’s 100th anniversary.

Again, for more about the local IODE chapter, call Wilson at 403-350-6923.

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Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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