Women 's Institute 6 hot water bottle covers 4 dozen mouth wipes cash donation of $89.93 plus boxes were sent to the Marshfield boys overseas. In post World War II years, boxes of food were shipped to Women 's Institutes in England . This service was introduced under The United Emergency Fund for Britain, and referred to as "CANAID" food parcels. The parcels were government approved and endorsed by the medical profession, and could be sent to a designated person or group in the United Kingdom with acknowledgement assured. The cost to send an eight-pound box, for example, was $4.25. The boxes were of five different sizes and all contained essential meats of high caloric value such as, tins of ham, beef, sausage meats, pate, cohoe salmon, cheese, canned fruit and a pound of lard or two depending on the box size. A letter of acknowledgement addressed to Mrs. H.C. Muttart , Secretary, WI, from a Mrs. Postlewaithe , in Southgate, London dated December 1949, states, "We were lucky to receive your fine gift of food in time for Christmas. The kindness shown by the housewives in Canada is much appreciated by us." The Institute's accomplishments have been many over the years, and to this day they remain a constant presence within the community. Music played an important role in the Women 's Institute, the local school and indeed throughout the district. Meetings opened and closed with music, and the social hour always included musical selections by talented members. Marshfield residents opened their homes to social gatherings which included local entertainment. In 1948, the Women 's Institute hired Mr. EG . Johnson to teach music in the school for one hour a week. An organ was available at the school but it became very expensive to keep this instrument in repair. In 1952, a piano was purchased and later band instruments were added. Over the years, the students excelled at the annual music festival, in Charlottetown , both in the category of school choirs and individual performances. The Women 's Institute was very supportive of the local school. As April was education month, it became customary to hold that month's WI meeting in the school, enabling the members to meet the teacher and to see at first hand what the needs were for both students and teacher. Money was given to the teachers to award the pupils for academic achievement and for excellence at the school fair. Sewing classes, first aid courses, swimming and water safety, handcraft courses and numerous items of necessity, such as maps, globe, dictionary, window blinds and wash basins were among items supplied for the school. WI has conducted canvasses and financially supported many worthwhile organiza¬ tions: Unitarian Service Commission, the TB Lea¬ gue, Provincial Sanatorium, Protestant Orphanage, PEI Music Festival Association, Canadian Cancer Society, , Unicef, Blood Donor Clinic, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Salvation Army and others. As well, support was given to local youth organizations and several WI members became leaders of the Marshfield Boy Scouts and Cubs, the Dunstaffnage Girl Guides and Brownies, and -Dunstaffnage 4H Club (see separate Chapters). Over the years, support has been given to projects undertaken by the Provincial Board of the WI such as Anderson House , the handcraft fair at the Provincial Exhibition, roadside cleanup, fundraising for hospital equipment, and National and International projects. Locally, families who are dealing with illness at home or confined to a hospital or nursing homes are remembered. Programs of WI meetings have been interesting and variable: millinery demonstrations, pastry making, table setting, kitchen design, home dec¬ orating, flower arranging, gardening (sometimes attended by the older school girls), and in recent years programs with more of a political flavour that keep members informed of current issues. Program planning was begun in 1954 when a year's meetings would be planned in advance. In 1955, the group was recognized for their achievements and received an award for Best Community Effort from the Federated Women 's Institutes of PEI. 1958 - The Women 's Institute became the owners and caretakers of Hall. Built in the 19th century, "the Hall" was the centre of community activity from the days of the Farmers' Institute, political meetings, elections and plays; to the days of wedding receptions, wedding showers, fashion shows, Christmas concerts, turkey dinners, card parties, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H activities, WI conventions and meetings. Weekly card parties, -222-