Historical people who made Goderich: Community service clubs

By: Kate Smith

Community service clubs in Goderich are organisations that engage in improving the community through various projects, including fundraising, volunteering and organising events.

Community service clubs play a vital role in strengthening community ties and supporting local initiatives that address local needs such as youth programs, health initiatives and support for seniors, making Goderich the place it is today.

Goderich Legion Branch 109’s history is closely connected to the town’s tradition of service, remembrance and neighbours helping neighbours.

Branch 109 was established in 1927, with a handful of founding members and has now served Goderich for 99 years. Today, membership stands at approximately 779.

It’s founding purpose was to bring veterans together, support those who had served and their families, and preserve the memory of those who did not return.

That commitment remains at the heart of Branch 109’s work, while community support has expanded to include youth, seniors and local organisations.

Three contributions over the century that illustrate the branch’s lasting impact include continuing support for veterans and their families through the annual Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Day services, preserving military heritage, particularly the branch’s connection to Lancaster FM213 and bringing it back for its 60th anniversary, and recent community fundraising. This includes the Catch the Ace partnership with Goderich Kinsmen and Knights of Columbus, generating funds to be reinvested in community needs.

According to Branch 109 President Randy Carroll, the Legion’s contribution to Goderich is measured in more than dollars. It is also found in the people supported, the friendships formed and the generations encouraged to serve their community.

The Rotary Club of Goderich was officially chartered with 25 members on March 1, 1962. Its mission to champion community resilience and development has since contributed millions of dollars and extensive volunteer hours to support local and international projects.

Further, the Goderich Rotary Charitable Foundation was registered in 1976, as a Canadian charity, to welcome donations, bequests, and issue tax receipts for qualifying contributions supporting club projects.

As an active part of the community, the club focuses on local infrastructure, youth and community welfare. Rotary’s 45 members value service above self.

Beginning in 1987, the club partnered with the town to transform a neglected beachfront area into the recreational space now known as Rotary Cove with the fitness trail and boardwalk extension.

The sports field, playground and storage shed beside the Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC) were created through Rotary leadership and funding.

The club operates the waterfront concessions, employing and mentoring up to 20 students in food service operations every summer.

Rotary partnered to refurbish the Victoria Park tennis courts and create the Columbus Park pickleball courts, and the club continues to lead in major fundraising campaigns that address local environmental, healthcare, recreational, cultural and lifestyle initiatives.

Chartered on April 28, 1963, the Goderich Council 5420 Knights of Columbus has been dedicated to the betterment of the Goderich community for over 63 years.

With just over 100 members to the local group, there are more than 2.2 million Catholic men in more than 17,000 Knights of Columbus Councils around the world.

Founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael McGiveney, the Order focuses on supporting parish families and working together with local Catholic schools, to funding vital community outreach programs. The Knights turn Catholic values into real-world action.

All the programs fall under four categories: faith, life, community and family.

The local programs provided by the Knights include Food for Families, Keep Christ in Christmas, Coats for Kids, Basketball Free Throw Championship, Chess Tournament, Pregnancy Centre Support, March for Life, Roses for Life, Seminarian Support, Men’s Bible Study and Sacramental Gifts.

The Knights of Columbus in Goderich also help run the Catch the Ace progressive lottery with the Goderich Legion and Kinsmen Club, in which all proceeds are donated back to community charities.

Throughout the 63 years, the Knights have made substantial donations to AMGH, the GDCI Track project and to food banks.

Last fraternal year, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council honoured the Goderich council with the Star Council Award, a top honour for outstanding achievement and excellence.

In 1991, the local Council purchased the Columbus Centre, and after having gone through extensive renovations, opened in June 1992.

Since then, the centre is the largest premiere meeting venue in Goderich for weddings, meetings and other fundraising events. It has been used for judicial proceedings, by the military and for political events, and it is also the Town Evacuation and Emergency Shelter.

When the tornado struck Goderich in August 2011, the centre was used as the emergency shelter for the town. For 13 days, the hall was occupied by the community non-stop. There were around 600 people coming and going each day, and about 450 people were fed per day.

On August 1, 2025, there was a devastating fire that destroyed an apartment building on Nelson Street East. The building was home for many, and 26 displaced residents took shelter at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Over the years, the Knights of Columbus Council 5420 have worked tirelessly to raise funds for various issues within the community, supported families in need, opened doors and offered shelter in times of devastation, and remain committed to serve the community and St. Peter’s Church. Where there is a need, there is a Knight.

Founded on June 17, 1901, the IODE Maple Leaf Chapter has been serving Goderich and surrounding area for 125 years as the community’s oldest service club.

Throughout its history, the Maple Leaf Chapter has supported countless local initiatives, educational programs, military families, health-care projects, and community organisations.

Today, members continue that tradition through fundraising, volunteer service, scholarships, and charitable giving.

Originally established to support Canadian troops serving in the Boer War, the chapter quickly turned its focus to local community-building efforts.

The IODE quickly became a powerful force for volunteerism, patriotism, and community leadership in Goderich.

Beginning with 13 female members, annual membership dues were 25 cents and within the first year the IODE soon grew to six local chapters with a total of 92 members. Ten per cent of dues helped fund Goderich’s first hospital initiative.

Among its earliest achievements was fundraising to establish Goderich’s first hospital and assisting with the purchase of land for the future Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) site on Napier Street in 1912.

The IODE purchased the Shepherd property at South and Britannia for Goderich’s first 14-bed hospital, which opened on December 1, 1905.

Throughout the decades the IODE not only was a major catalyst to purchasing spaces for the hospital, but have worked to support sailors, families, harbour workers, and supported the troops in the World Wars with knitted goods, care parcels, nursing supplies and family assistance programs.

The IODE established the Opportunity and Consignment Shop in 1953 to provide affordable clothing and community assistance.

Still operating today by members and volunteers, the ‘Op Shop’ continues to raise funds for local projects, support families in need and strengthen community outreach.

Following the Second World War, the Maple Leaf Chapter began supporting additional initiatives. This includes schools and libraries, scholarships and student awards, literacy and arts initiatives, welfare programs, seniors’ needs and healthcare.

Once called Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE), the organisation now has rebranded as Inclusive, Organised, Dedicated and Enthusiastic (IODE) women.

The IODE Maple Leaf Chapter is comprised of 81 members and is guided by an 11-member Executive Board dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents throughout Goderich as well as Huron County.

The first Lions Club in Canada was the Windsor Lions formed in March 1920. Goderich Linos was the fourth club in Canada to receive its Charter, and the first meeting of the Goderich Lions was held on September 21, 1922.

Goderich Lions initially consisted of 27 Charter members, and 104 years later, the club has an active membership of 77.

Its mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through the club.

In 1930, the Goderich Lions Club spearheaded an effort to help ‘crippled children’. In 1931, 71 children visited clinics in Seaforth and Goderich, and the Lions Club took the financial responsibility for the treatment of 11 area children who had been crippled by polio.

During the war years the Lions Club hosted dances for Commonwealth airmen, held blood donor clinics and fundraised for the war effort. Yet, the Lions Club never crippled children.

In 1949 the club donated $1,500 to the construction of Memorial Arena, yet the club’s most famous endeavour is Young Canada Week (YCW).

Over the years, the Goderich Lions has been involved in the fundraising efforts for the Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC), the newly opened Memorial Community Centre, Lions Harbour Park, the Maitland Medical Centre, Bannister Park, upgrades to the railway bridge and now with the Magnetic Moments Campaign.

Another important aspect of the community the Lions Club supports is youth sports. Recently the club held its 75th Annual Young Canada Week Hockey Tournament in March and the Lions Girls Fastball Tournament this past summer.

Throughout the year the club hosts two weekly TV bingos, the Taste of Goderich and the Lions Beef Barbecue.

Goderich Kinsmen Club was formed back in 1947. The club started out with 30 members. Today, the club has 24 members and will soon celebrate its 80th anniversary.

Over the years the Kinsmen Club has held main fundraisers to support the community including Summerfest, the TV Auction, the Elimination Draw and Dinner, Vacation Draw and Bottle Draw.

Summerfest is one of the club’s oldest events and has been going for as long as anyone can remember. It has changed throughout the years, introducing new elements including the Ribfest and music playing all weekend, but it remains a staple in the community during the summer.

The TV Auction celebrated its 35th year last year and continues to be a very popular event thanks to the continued support from local businesses. The auction began as a live broadcast from cable offices in Holmesville and alter moved to the broadcast studio in the Kinsmen Centre.

Some major projects the Kinsmen supported over the years include the Menesetung Bridge repairs, the Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC), Bannister Park, and the medical centre.

The Menesetung Bridge was a memorable project that the Kinsmen were instrumental in helping with. When the bridge was to be removed, the club stepped up to save it and raised $5,000 to allow to the group time to save the bridge.

Since then, the Menesetung Bridge Association was formed.

The club also took part in selling planks to help raise funds for the bridge, and from this effort, the TV Auction was born with the first three years of funds going to support the bridge maintenance.

The Kinsmen Club of Goderich continues to thrive due to its energetic members and a well organised operating team, to support requests for help or donations, while trying to spread the wealth into the community where it is needed.

Goderich can be defined by many things, and many individuals and groups have made an impact on this town, but without these community service groups, it would be hard to define it as such a special place to live, work, build and grow.

This is an ongoing series of historical features to tell the story of Goderich, in each issue of the Goderich Sun, from June 2026 until June 2027, in anticipation of its bicentennial.