Flag raising ceremony at C-K  Civic Centre to raise the IODE flag to celebrate IODE Awareness Week. Pictured here are members from four Chatham Kent chapters, Confederation Chapter in Ridgetown, Catherine  McVeen Chapter in Dresden, Kent Regiment Chapter in Chatham and Captain Garnet Brackin Chapter in Chatham. (Submitted photo)Flag raising ceremony at C-K Civic Centre to raise the IODE flag to celebrate IODE Awareness Week. Pictured here are members from four Chatham Kent chapters, Confederation Chapter in Ridgetown, Catherine McVeen Chapter in Dresden, Kent Regiment Chapter in Chatham and Captain Garnet Brackin Chapter in Chatham. (Submitted photo)
Chatham

Charity group promotes "Service to Others" during IODE awareness week

The Chatham-Kent chapters of the IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire) are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to supporting local children, education and community service.

The group donated $700 to the Chatham-Kent Student Nutrition Program this week, which also marks IODE Awareness Week.

That special recognition was celebrated with a flag-raising event at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre on Monday.

“This week is designed to showcase IODE Chapter good works across Canada. The theme for this week is 'Service to Others' and was chosen to acknowledge the commitment that Princess Elizabeth II made on her 21st birthday," said Marianne Johnstone, a local IODE member. "We also commemorate The Platinum Jubilee and now the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II.”

Chatham-Kent is represented by four IODE Chapters with one in Ridgetown, one in Dresden, and two in Chatham.

The women's charitable organization, which was founded in 1900 to promote and support the British empire and its soldiers, currently "provides scholarships, bursaries, book prizes and awards, and pursues other philanthropic and educational projects in various communities across Canada," according to a release from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.