The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) is marking its 125th anniversary of service to Canadian communities, an enduring legacy that includes over a century of impact in the Sarnia-Lambton region. Since 1916, IODE chapters have been a major force in local community service, education, and citizenship through fundraising, aid, and direct support. A […]
The Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) is marking its 125th anniversary of service to Canadian communities, an enduring legacy that includes over a century of impact in the Sarnia-Lambton region. Since 1916, IODE chapters have been a major force in local community service, education, and citizenship through fundraising, aid, and direct support. A quiet yet powerful force for good, the organization’s efforts have ranged from operating thrift shops and hosting home tours to donating hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and aid.
Many long-time residents will recall the IODE Economy Shop, which first opened between 1941 and 1946 at 239 Brock Street, Maud Hanna’s home, where it served as a sewing room for members to create items for soldiers during World War II. The "nearly new" shop later moved to Christina and Confederation Streets in 1957, then to the corner of Russell and Wellington Streets in 1979, and finally to 110 East Street in 2004 before closing a year later.
Between 2007 and 2017, the IODE Sarnia-Lambton Municipal Chapter hosted the popular Christmas Home Tour, a two-day event featuring homes decorated by local florists and designers. This event raised over $68,000 over its ten-year span for local charities, including St. Joseph’s Hospice, Inn of the Good Shepherd, Rebound Youth Services, and the Women’s Interval Home.
IODE Chapters in Sarnia-Lambton have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to education. As early as 1959, local chapters were providing bursaries and scholarships to post-secondary students, which eventually totaled more than $422,000. Upon the retirement of the Sarnia-Lambton Municipal Chapter in 2020, a gift of $90,000 was provided to the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) to fund ten $1,000 awards for local secondary schools and the School Within a College (SWAC) program. Today, the Margaret Stokes Chapter in Petrolia continues to support students with over $3,000 in annual awards at LCCVI and area elementary schools, while the Honourable Malcolm Cameron Chapter has also provided thousands of dollars to secondary graduates.
Beyond education, IODE chapters consistently support local hospitals with equipment and supplies, and have made donations to sports clubs, Guides, Scouts, Legions, and the Victoria Playhouse. Their impact extends well beyond Sarnia-Lambton, reaching northern communities like Attawapiskat (James Bay), Hopedale (Nfld.), and Black Tickle (Labrador), where adopted schools receive parcels of crafts and school supplies several times a year. Furthermore, children’s clothing and footwear are sent to remote fly-in northern Ontario communities. Local food banks, school snack programs, and Christmas drives also benefit from IODE fundraising, which often includes the sales of homemade butter tarts, apple pies, chocolates, flower sales, and gift card drives.
Although the Municipal Chapter has retired, the IODE remains active in Sarnia-Lambton with over 80 members and three vibrant local chapters: IODE Honourable Malcolm Cameron Chapter (Sarnia), IODE Errol Egremont Chapter (Camlachie), and IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter (Petrolia). A new virtual chapter, IODE Trillium 2023, also welcomes members via Zoom monthly. Residents can visit the local chapters Sarnia website or Petrolia website to learn more about IODE’s continuing work or to join in their 125th anniversary celebrations.
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