Our Contribution to Canada and the WorldThe following history of IODE’s contribution to society reflects only a small portion of the volunteer hours and monetary donations given. Each decade reflects the historical road members took as they gathered awareness to the needs around them and responded in innovative, creative and diverse ways.
Today, members from across Canada raise approximately $3,000,000 annually, and reinvest it in Canada’s children, families and communities. 2000 – 2007
1995 – 2000
1980 – 1989
1970 - 1979
1960 – 1969
1950 – 1959
1940 – 1949
1930 – 1939
1920 – 1929
1910 – 1919
1900 – 1909
OUR CONTRIBUTION TO CANADA'S WAR EFFORTS 1900 – 1902 IODE was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray of Montreal who recognized a need for loyal support for Canadians departing to fight with the Empire forces in South Africa. IODE members raised funds to honour the 90 Canadian soldiers who gave their lives. A monument was unveiled in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and IODE funds have helped to maintain the graves in intervening years. 1919 and 1946 to the present To honour Canadians who gave their lives or suffered disabilities in the two World Wars, two War Memorial Funds for education were established. Over four million dollars have been awarded from the Funds. Today, five scholarships of $15,000 are awarded annually as IODE War Memorial Doctoral Scholarships. World War I and II During the periods of World War I and II, $12,000,000 was raised by IODE members to purchase hospitals, hospital ships, ambulances, bomber and fighter aircraft and field comforts for Canadian service personnel. Relief to prisoners of war and refugee camps, libraries and canteens for servicemen and thousands of volunteer hours were among the many contributions in both wars. 1940 During World War II, IODE raised funds to purchase a Bolingbroke Bomber. The bomber, known as “Ida”, was flown by a Hamilton Squadron during the war, and was presented to the Canadian Government in 1940. IODE has contributed significant funds to the restoration of a “Boly”, which can be seen in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario. 1944 A unique wartime gift in 1944 was the shipment of 87 wedding outfits to Women’s Service Headquarters to be distributed to British service women. 1946 to 1950 Over $1,000,000 was raised during the period of 1946 to 1950. Massive quantities of clothes, medical supplies and food were sent for relief of displaced persons. $100,000 was raised across Canada by exhibiting a needlepoint carpet made by Queen Mary and was used to provide much needed dollars for Britain following the Second World War. 1950 to present Since 1950, Canadian WWI and WWII veterans and/or their dependents living in Britain have been provided annually with a Christmas voucher. 2003 IODE established the IODE Juno Beach Centre Fund to assist with equipment for the Centre. 2007 IODE Canada donated $5000 for the Wall of Memory, Canadian War Museum. 2008 to present IODE Canada created a calendar, IODE Honours Canada’s Armed Forces at Work 2009, with a message from the Minister of Defence, The Honourable Minister Peter MacKay, P.C., M.P. IODE recognizes our members and their families who are serving or served with our Canadian Forces in a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission overseas with a UN Peace Keeper Bar. Each year on Remembrance Day, wreaths are placed at the National Cenotaph in Ottawa and at the cenotaph in St. John’s, Newfoundland to remember and honour those who have fallen, while serving our country. |