History of IODE Festival Jubilee Chapter
The IODE, originally named the Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire, is a Canadian women’s charitable organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children, youth and those in need, through educational, social service and citizenship programs.
Festival Jubilee Chapter IODE was founded in 1977 at the suggestion of members in Stratford's Perth Regiment Chapter that there be a chapter comprised of some "younger" ladies. Founding member Lauren Francis, who is still actively involved in the chapter tells us the story: "The first gathering of Perth Regiment Members and potential young/new members was held in the living room of Dama and Alf Bell’s home on James Street. It was the most elegant potluck supper and we younger girls were all so dazzled and impressed. Here we were in the beautiful home of Order of Canada recipient Dama Bell. We were also very dazzled by the fact that this living room in which our little chapter was being formed was also the same living room in which the Stratford Shakespearean Festival was formed by Dama, Alf, Tom Patterson, Alec Guinness, etc. We felt we were in pretty impressive company!"
Regarding the name that was decided upon Lauren states: "Choosing a name was a daunting task! We were each asked to suggest a name and then we’d have a vote to decide which name won. After much debate, we chose part of one suggestion and part of another....”Festival” for obvious reasons because we’re in the Festival City and Jubilee because 1977 was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (25 years since her coronation). Most of us could remember how exciting the coronation was back in the day, so the name had special significance for us." As women we have come together in friendship with a desire to contribute to our community.
Since our inception we have raised many thousands of dollars for a wide variety of charitable projects and organizations, and at the same time forged bonds of friendship that have endured for many years. We have tried fundraisers such as garage sales, auctions, cook book publication, and even a butter tart fundraiser! Our most promising and profitable fundraisers continue to be ongoing bingos and our annual geranium/planter sale in May, and our annual Yuletide Tour of Homes in November,
Monies raised from these events have been spent in many ways including equipment for our local hospital, bursaries to highschool students, care baskets for students going off to college and university, school breakfast programs, SmartBoards and iPads for area elementary schools. IODE Festival Jubilee has furnished rooms and contributed to Stratford's Simple Dreams, House of Blessing, Christmas Basket Fund, Perth District Health Unit's Milk Program, ShelterLink, provided personal care bags for the Optimism Place and Emily Murphy Centre, and sends parcels each year to our adopted class in Labrador.
We are a small group of women but we proudly accomplish great things in our community.
Festival Jubilee Chapter IODE was founded in 1977 at the suggestion of members in Stratford's Perth Regiment Chapter that there be a chapter comprised of some "younger" ladies. Founding member Lauren Francis, who is still actively involved in the chapter tells us the story: "The first gathering of Perth Regiment Members and potential young/new members was held in the living room of Dama and Alf Bell’s home on James Street. It was the most elegant potluck supper and we younger girls were all so dazzled and impressed. Here we were in the beautiful home of Order of Canada recipient Dama Bell. We were also very dazzled by the fact that this living room in which our little chapter was being formed was also the same living room in which the Stratford Shakespearean Festival was formed by Dama, Alf, Tom Patterson, Alec Guinness, etc. We felt we were in pretty impressive company!"
Regarding the name that was decided upon Lauren states: "Choosing a name was a daunting task! We were each asked to suggest a name and then we’d have a vote to decide which name won. After much debate, we chose part of one suggestion and part of another....”Festival” for obvious reasons because we’re in the Festival City and Jubilee because 1977 was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (25 years since her coronation). Most of us could remember how exciting the coronation was back in the day, so the name had special significance for us." As women we have come together in friendship with a desire to contribute to our community.
Since our inception we have raised many thousands of dollars for a wide variety of charitable projects and organizations, and at the same time forged bonds of friendship that have endured for many years. We have tried fundraisers such as garage sales, auctions, cook book publication, and even a butter tart fundraiser! Our most promising and profitable fundraisers continue to be ongoing bingos and our annual geranium/planter sale in May, and our annual Yuletide Tour of Homes in November,
Monies raised from these events have been spent in many ways including equipment for our local hospital, bursaries to highschool students, care baskets for students going off to college and university, school breakfast programs, SmartBoards and iPads for area elementary schools. IODE Festival Jubilee has furnished rooms and contributed to Stratford's Simple Dreams, House of Blessing, Christmas Basket Fund, Perth District Health Unit's Milk Program, ShelterLink, provided personal care bags for the Optimism Place and Emily Murphy Centre, and sends parcels each year to our adopted class in Labrador.
We are a small group of women but we proudly accomplish great things in our community.
We were proud to once again donate to our local hospital!
