Item - Wingate's Raiders IODE fonds

The IODE (Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire) is a national volunteer organization for women, dedicated to providing assistance, to those in need, in the areas of educational programmes, community services, and citizenship projects. It was a voluntary organization open to all Canadian women and girls with a love of country and a concern for others.
The Wingate’s Raiders Chapter of Woodstock was formed on September 1, 1945, and was named after British General Orde Wingate’s 77th Indian Brigade, called the Chindits - a guerilla unit which fought the Japanese in Burma in 1943-1944. Claire Dunlop was the Chapter’s first Regent.
The Chapter organized such events as teas, bridge parties, recitals, fashion shows, dances, bake sales, rummage sales, and bingos. One of the Chapter’s more popular events was their spring project “The Reg Hall Fashion Show” which was held in conjunction with Reg Hall Ltd. until the business was sold. Each show had a different theme every year, and the Chapter was responsible for making the arrangements and selling the tickets. Through events such as this, the Chapter was able to raise money for fundraising endeavors such as supporting two remote schools, offering bursaries for local high school students, adopting two Greek children through the “Save the Children” organization and contributing funds to complete the exterior lighting of Woodingford Lodge.
As numbers continued to decline over the years, the Chapter finally closed in May 2008.