IODE Boundary Bay Chapter ladies hosted a Bridge and Afternoon Tea to raise money for local charities last week at All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner.
IODE is a Canadian women's charitable organization, which was founded in 1900. The Boundary Bay Chapter was formed in 2006 under the presidency of Gail Delaney. She remains an active member of IODE and has held various positions within the chapter as well as provincially.
IODE focuses its activities to support children, youth and those in need. The group's help can be monetary or service based. The local chapter currently runs small monthly bingo games, puts on a strawberry tea for seniors and has arranged for a Christmas sing-a-long. The group also helps prepare and serve food at several of the monthly community dinners held in Ladner.
Through several fundraising initiatives, the chapter primarily supports organizations in South Delta, including the Stroke Recovery Group, the South Delta Food Bank, Ladner community dinners and various programs at South Delta and Delta secondary schools. The chapter also makes book bags for three kindergarten classes at Hellings Elementary in North Delta and annually purchases a library book, which has been awarded the annual IODE Violet Downey Book Award, for each elementary school in South Delta.
The chapter also contributes to provincial and national programs, which include scholarships and national disaster support. IODE is a registered charity and no less than 85 per cent of money raised goes directly to charitable causes.
Those interested in the group can attend one of its monthly meetings. The organization also accepts donations.
For further information, contact Diane Ritchie at 604-948-3198 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.iode.ca.
