Browns Women’s Institute donate to the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation

A successful fundraiser by the Browns Women’s Institute allowed the club to donate $1000 to St. Marys Healthcare Foundation. Pictured in the back row, from left to right, are board director Brandon Boyd, Women’s Institute members Nancy West, Edith Eedy, Judy Taylor, Ruth Ann Haves, Carol Herbert, Lynn Dietrich, Evelyn Arthur and Carol Miller. In front, from left, are Women’s Institute member Liz Harrison, board director Linda McFadyne and member Dianne Greason. Absent are members Evelyn Douglas, Annie VanHooydonk, Janet Uren and Willie Vanstrien.

By Wendy Lamond

The Browns Women’s Institute (WI) presented a cheque for $1,000 to the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation last Thursday, March 26.

The money was raised by making and selling homemade apple crisp. The successful fundraiser made enough for them to donate $1,000 to the health-care foundation and $750 to Browns Church.

The WI is a community-based organization for women based on friendship, education and support that was originated in Stoney Creek in 1897. WI is still active across Canada with approximately 4,500 members, but like all volunteer organizations, clubs are finding it tougher to get members. For years the WI’s mission has been to focus on “For Home and Country” by playing a big role in supporting local causes.

Browns Women’s Institute is one of six left in Oxford County. The group has their meetings at Browns School located at 136545 13th Line, St. Marys. The group has 14 members, meet monthly and continue to work together on projects to help others and improve their community all while taking part in fellowship.

Their current work-bee project was to make and fill over 100 hot/cold rice packs for the London Children’s Hospital. On site at the school is a Barn Quilt the WI donated, as well as a memorial bench in memory of the late Sheila Greason.

The club hosts euchre every second and fourth Thursday of the month. For $5, attendees get a dessert and some social time playing a fun card game.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Browns Women’s Institute can email Carol Miller at cmiller54@hotmail.com or call Nancy West at 519-670-4008.