IODE Cobequid Chapter - Springhill NS
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The following history of Cobequid Chapter IODE was written by founding member Annie G. Murray for their fiftieth anniversary in 1966.
Cobequid Chapter I.O.D.E. 1916-1966 Organized on May 3, 1916 by Mrs. D. A. Morrison of Lord Amherst Chapter, in the Methodist Church, Cobequid Chapter began its work by adopting a prisoner of war. Remembering the armed services, particularly our own men in the 25th, 85th, 193rd, other battalions, and in No. 1 Tunnelling Co., with socks, helmets, tobacco, sweets and other comforts, and co-operating with the Red Cross Auxiliary in knitting and sewing. No appeal went unheeded - the Red Shield, the Navy League, the Y.M.C.A., funds for refugees, for the victims of the Halifax Explosion, all financed by tag days, penny parades, school concerts, talent money, market sales, a gigantic fair, teas, dances, and more teas! The war over, our interest turned to ex-service men, child welfare, and education. We contributed our allocation to the National War Memorial Fund, generously supported our Springhill Soldiers' Memorial Fund, presented All Saints' Hospital with linens and other supplies, and remembered the local schools with prizes, flags, pictures, books, magazines and other equipment. On October 12, 1922 at a memorial service in St. Andrew's Church, an Honour Roll, bearing in letters of gold, the names of deceased Springhill Service men, was presented to town officials. It now graces the walls of the Council Chambers, draped by one of our retired flags. The dark days of the depression presented an unusual challenge. The Red Cross Auxiliary having disbanded at the close of the war, the burden of welfare and relief was assumed by a Red Cross Committee of Cobequid Chapter. In co-operation with the Miner's Union we administered a Provincial Relief Fund of over two thousand dollars. Milk, food, clothing, glasses, cod liver oil, nursing services and other necessities were supplied to needy families; children were sponsored at the School for the Blind, to whom we sent books and clothing and Christmas gifts. The Second World War, unlike the first, stressed the great need of assistance for Great Britain and other war torn countries, as well as comfort and encouragement for our own forces. We shipped huge cartons of bedding and clothing for the unfortunates who lost their all in bombed areas; ditty bags, sweaters, socks, furs to be made into linings of seaman's jackets, food parcels of canned meat, butter, sugar, and of course gifts of money for the funds to relieve suffering. |
On May 3, 1916 the Methodist Church in Springhill was the site of the first meeting of those planning to organize a local chapter of IODE. At this meeting the decision was made to meet on the first Wednesday of each month. It was at their second meeting that these women chose the name "Cobequid Chapter" and motto "A posse ad esse - From possibility to reality" for the chapter. Cobequid Chapter received its charter on August 17, 1916. Cobequid Chapter has 39 members who meet on the first Wednesday of each month with the exception of July and August. |
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Education
Cobequid Chapter IODE supports our Junior and Senior High School students through bursaries, awards, and programs such as, "Baby Think It Over." In June 2015 IODE bursaries were presented to four graduating students from Springhill High School; in addition IODE Awards were presented to students in grades 9-11 at their Award Night.
Our chapter has promoted reading in the two local elementary schools through donations of books to the classrooms and libraries. In previous years, the theme of the books chosen was to encourage reading among boys. In addition warm items such as mittens, scarves and hats were donated to help keep the children warm. Presently, we continue this practice of donating books to students at both West End Memorial and Junction Road Elementary Schools. Community Services
During the Christmas Season, our member take pleasure in providing residents in a nearby residential home with special Christmas gifts. Christmas gifts were delivered to Sunset Residential & Rehabilitation Inc. in Pugwash.
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Officers for 2020 -2021
Community Involvement
Services Officer Kathy Kurchak with members Valerie St. Peter and Faye Spence presented Rev. Natasha Davidson with supplies that can be used in her children and youth programs. |