Most of the organizational work was sponsored by the local Women’s Institute members. From the Minutes of 1939 it is recorded that Christmas boxes costing $8.83 were sent to soldiers ‘overseas’. Overseas included Newfoundland at that time.

Appeals came from all National and Provincial Organizations shortly after Christmas, 1939. Included were; YMCA War Appeal Fund (the District was canvassed) — Red Cross Ambulance Fund ($10.00 was sent) — Relief for Refugee Children - Carry On Canada Corps — War Service Campaign - Queen’s Canadian Fund — Mobile Kitchen Fund - Jewels Spitfire Committee - Milk for Britain Fund — Salvation Army - British Children War Services Fund - Greek War Fund - and the Chinese Relief Fund (Residents raised $69.75 for this group). Correspondence by mail must have travelled at first rate speed as radio was not used extensively for communications. The radio was only used when famous War Correspondents, such as Gabriel Heater, were broadcast- ing from the War Zones. Everyone, regardless of age in a household, was expected to remain very quiet and carefully ‘digest’ the message from the airwaves. It was clearly understood that no one could afford to wear out the batteries of the radio, by listening to any show that hap— pened to be on the air. Residents, therefore, would not hear of world appeals through the medi—

um of radio. The list of some of the community money—raising activities included:

-concerts — These were popular and at least one was held each year. In 1940 a decision was made to charge 10 cents for children and 15 cents for adults. Those taking part were to be admitted free. Lunch and tea would cost 10 cents. This concert netted $46.00.

-other districts presented concerts in the hall - Ice cream was quite often sold on these occa- sions. Those who did not have ice cream to contribute had to help make the ice cream

and prepare the lunch for the players.

-‘Carry on Club’ - This group was responsible for holding dances from time to time at the old rink, (west side of Campbellton Rd.) After the summer season of 1941, the Club turned over $75.65 to the community effort. This, in turn was sent to the Red Cross Society.

—card parties — These were usually held at the homes. One such party netted $8.00.

—ice cream social and dance — in October, 1943, proceeds from one of these dances brought in $47.00, and for selling ice cream $17.25.

—social evenings - A social evening usually consisted of contests, singing, or anything that added up to an enjoyable evening with friends and neighbors.

-pie social and concert — These were quite popular and one record states “that a very successful evening was held with our District licensed auctioneer Mr. Thomas Bolger,

which realized $99.50”.

From the money raised, yarn was bought for the knitters, and filling and tops for quilts. The bottoms of quilts were usually made of sugar or flour bags. Bundles of quilt patches were donated by Eaton’s and Simpson's, to help defray costs. The first motion for the Women’s Institute members to purchase yarn was in October, 1939, which read, “. . . it was moved by Mrs. H.S. MacEwen and seconded by Mrs. Thomas Bolger that $10.00 worth of yarn be bought

from the Red Cross for knitting socks.”

When one looks over the final report of the work completed for the war effort, it is nearly an unbelievable amount of knitting and sewing which was passed in for distribution. In 1940 a decision of the Institute Members was to divide the residents of the District into two groups, so that more work could be completed. The river was used as the dividing line. Quilt frames were set up in a number of homes, so that anyone who had time could devote an afternoon to quilt— ing. A number of quilts were of the “tufted” kind, which did not require as much time as pat-

terned quilts. However, the majority were quilted throughout.

38