The main Citizenship activity for the Kathleen Drope Chapter is to present an award each year to students in a local school who reflect helpful behavior, responsibility in classroom activities, thoughtfulness and compassion when dealing with others. These traits are absolutely essential to being good citizens, both at school and in the community John English Junior Middle School, in west Toronto, is a school with which we have formed a strong relationship. We work through a teacher contact and each year we are pleased to give an IODE Citizenship Award to one student in each of the grade five classes. The award consists of a book and a certificate. The book we have chosen for the award in the last few years is called “Momentus: Small Acts, Big Change” It was written by a young teen, Hannah Alper and profiles people who have worked to make a difference in various areas, e.g. environment, bullying, homelessness, to name a few. Hannah then reflects on what young people can learn from these cases and how they can apply these ideas to their own lives. As a way of celebrating Canada's anniversary in 2017, the Chapter presented a special Canada 150 Citizenship Award to three Grade 7 students at John English JMS. The award recognized students who reflected good Citizenship in their school. The award consisted of a special certificate and a cash gift.
Additionally, over the years, we have co-hosted a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony with students at John English JMS, under the guidance of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It is always a heart-warming ceremony with the children sending best wishes via handmade cards as well as musical offerings. Members of the Chapter personally welcome the new Canadians with words of support and refreshments to celebrate the occasion.
IODE Volunteer Hours
The history of volunteerism in IODE can be highlighted with this fact, that our members raised $12,000,000 in the two World Wars to purchase hospitals, hospital ships, ambulances, a bomber and fighter aircraft. 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.
Today, IODE members provide over 674,923 volunteer hours annually to community work through a variety of activities. Across Canada, Citizenship Courts, youth shelters, schools, seniors’ homes, hospitals, and numerous other institutions are the benefactors of IODE members’ time and talents.
Even by volunteering as few as two hours a month by attending a chapter meeting, you can make a significant contribution to Canada and its society. We welcome student volunteers to help with IODE projects in your community. You can make a difference.
The IODE RCMP Community Service Award
IODE Canada, on behalf of its members, established an award to recognize a member, unit or detachment of the RCMP for exemplary public service to their community outside of their official duties. Each year, the office of the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police chooses the recipient.