Celebrating 76 Years of Community Service….

  Education: Elementary and secondary school award winners receive over $3000 annually for bursaries, subject excellence and community involvement. (details and recipients are on our education pages)
       Sponsors for:   o   Petrolia Soccer
                             o   Petrolia Minor Hockey
                             o   Petrolia Figure Skating
                             o   Petrolia Cadets
                             o   Petrolia Community Pool
                             o   Lambton Music Festival
                             o   Christmas for Everyone
                             o   Scouts and Girl Guides
                             o   Wyoming Girls Baseball 
            Adopted School in Black Tickle, Labrador
            Knitted and donated goods are sent to:                              
                              Northern Ontario Communities
                              Women’s Interval Home
                              Petrolia Retirement Homes  
             Food Vouchers to the Petrolia Food Bank and the Community Refrigerator
             Christmas in the Park serving hot chocolate and cookies. 
             Moncrief  Park, at the corner of  Princess and Nelson Streets, is maintained by our chapter.  

Our 75th Anniversary Project
In celebration of their 75th Anniversary in Petrolia, the Margaret Stokes IODE has generously donated $25,000, marking the official launch of the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia’s capital campaign.
Announced late last year, the VPP’s capital campaign will raise funds to improve Victoria Hall’s accessibility. Director of Marketing, Arts and Communications for the Town of Petrolia, Laurissa Ellsworth, explained “We're looking to add what we would consider a tower addition on the back, north side of the building, that would take an elevator from the lobby level all the way to the balcony and add about ten washrooms in the process, a few on each floor."
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Left to Right: R. Brad Loosley, Mayor; Rick Charlebois, Chief Administrative Officer, Treasurer; David Hogan, Co-Artistic Director, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia; Dawn McNally, President, IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter; Wendy Loosley, Past President, IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter.
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Legion Bench donated by IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter, November 2024 at the Veteran's Christmas luncheon.
PictureBand Shell Donation of $5000. from the proceeds of the 2023 Quilt Raffle.
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IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter presents a donation of $500 to the Community Refrigerator in Petrolia. Pictured below are LtoR Monica Deighton, Services, Dawn McNally President IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter, Larry Leckie and Nicole Newman, Community Refrigerator Committee Members. With this donation the CR is able to provide 125 meals for those in need.
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President Dawn giving the IODE Margaret Stokes donation for Christmas for Everyone to Sandra Hartman.

Petrolia Market's 50/50 draw funds from IODE help local school's snack program.

PicturePictured is the Queen Elizabeth II Public School, Principal Ryan Myers along with IODE members, Suzzanna and Wendy, and the students who participate in getting the snacks together for those in need.


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Helping the Town of Petrolia through sponsership of the ice-cleaning machine.
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President Dawn and Citizenship Officer Angela presenting cheque to Petrolia Embers and Sparks leaders, Janet Cameron and Debbie Coke with Emily and Abby in the front.
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In celebration of World Health Day, a cheque to the Petrolia Food Bank was donated by President Wendy Loosley, Treasurer Joanne Brand and Services officer Janet Hext of the IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter. Receiving on behalf of the Petrolia Food Bank is manager Sandra Hartman (left)
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IODE Margaret Stokes members Suzzane, Joanne and Wendy (pictured on right side) presented a cheque for $500 to Queen Elizabeth II School for their snack programme. Accepting the cheque are two parent volunteers and Principal, Kevin Chambers.
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Pictured are IODE members Pat and Linda receiving a cheque for the Green Leader Grant from Mayor Loosley, Town of Petrolia and Luiza Furtado, Waste Management Canada representative. Thank you to our community leaders.
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Lambton Youth Choir lines up to try out the new fountain in Victoria Park, Petrolia.
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Donation to to the Legion Ladies Auxiliary of the purchase of new tablecloths.
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  Your support is appreciated.  Funds are used for our local community projects and education awards. 
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IODE Margaret Stokes members present a cheque for $2000 to Parents for Parks, Petrolia.
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IODE members delivered Valentines to the residents of Albany, Meadowview and Fiddick's to spread some love and cheer.
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President Wendy and Monica selling 50-50 tickets at the Petrolia Farmers' Market.

We Remember...

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Volunteers from the Legion and IODE worked together to put over 400 crosses at Hillsdale Cemetery, Petrolia
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IODE members after placing the crosses at Hillsdale Cemetery.
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IODE Members and friends stand in front of the crosses and cenotaph at Hillsdale Cemetary.
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Wendy , Dawn and Joanne sorting the flower orders.
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The IODE Margaret Stokes and IODE Hon. Malcolm Cameron Chapters purchased school supplies to be sent to our Provincial office to forward to schools and nursing stations in Northern Ontario.
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Ladies enjoying the Victorian Porches and Verandas Luncheon, June 8th. The sold-out event was a success and enjoyed by all.
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Sponsor of Petrolia Arena ice-cleaning machine

Thank you to our Veterans..

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At the Petrolia Legion, a luncheon was held for the veterans sponsored by the I.O.D.E Margaret Stokes Chapter.  Two quilts were presented.
Gunner, Sid McLean served with the Royal Canadian Artillery in WWII.  He was 16 when he entered the service and trained as a “Commando” with the Black Watch.  
Sid’s quilt was made by Val Johnson and her Friends Who Care especially for a veteran.  Carol Cote did the quilting.
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A big THANK YOU goes to the many hands that help make these presentations possible.  You can see the joy on all of the faces of family and friends.
Thanks to Ginny Williams and Dawn McNally for helping with the presentations.  
At both presentations, people mentioned that the quilts were so stunning and each one was different. Special Thanks to Laverne Phills who was responsible for the donation of the "Quilts of Valour".
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Donations are given to Petrolia Volunteer Firefighters for CO and smoke detectors.
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Donation of generator and kayak to Peacekeeper Park Adventure Camp. IODE Margaret Stokes members with camp founder, Major E. Smith, and campers

Moncrieff Park adopted by IODE

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IODE Margaret Stokes adopted this park from the Town of Petrolia in 2001. We have maintained the park with planting and weeding to the present. Pictured are members planting.
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IODE Margaret Stokes members serving hot chocolate at the Petrolia's annual "Christmas in the Park".

Remembrance Day donation

Several Maple Leaf blankets were made by IODE margaret Stokes Chapter members in Petrolia for veterans. Using one of these blankets during the Remembrance Day service is a Second World War veteran, John Nelson who served in Germany, France and Great Britain.  Behind him are IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter Members, Dora MacFarlane (whose husband was a Second World War veteran) and Margaret Dee.
Past Community Projects by IODE Margaret Stokes Chapter
The following are past projects that are not included in our usual annual projects:
    *    Support for the Parents and Parks Assoc. 2020
    *    Donation of IODE 70th Anniversary project, a water fountain in Victoria Park, 2019
  • Donations of Carbon dioxide detectors to the Petrolia Fire department, April 2017.
  • Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital:  June, 2014. The Margaret Stokes Chapter donated funds for emergency and supply carts.  An oversized wheelchair was requested last year and the Chapter was pleased to provide for it.
  • Petrolia Community Centre Equipment: June 2014- The purchase of a Nu-Step exerciser at the Community Centre for all citizens to use without charge.
  • Chair Lift for Community Centre (2011)
  • Contribution of the waiting room furniture ($5000) for the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart (Pat Mailloux) Eye Clinic. (2007)
  • Shower commodes for Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital (2007)
  • Donation of oversized wheelchair to CEE Hospital  (2010)
  • Donation of Heart Monitors to CEE Hospital (2002)
  • Rose bushes (40) at Cenotaph at Victoria Park (1999)
  • T-Shirts for the Lambton Youth Choir- to go to Disney World and in 2011.
  • Pool Safety equipment to the Petrolia Community Centre – lifejackets, etc.(ongoing)
  • Firefighter Uniform for Petrolia-Enniskillen female fire fighter
  • Donation of kayak, generator, and dining tables to Peacekeeper Park (2008-9)
  • Lamps to the “Banks Room” at the Petrolia Library in memory of Shirley Banks.(2010)
  • Memorial Park Bench in downtown Petrolia “in memory of all IODE” (2010)
  • Kitchen equipment to Lambton Community Developmental Services
  • Donation of 20 chairs to Petrolia Discovery Theatre (2000)
  • Presented a Baby think it over Doll to the LCCVI Family Studies Program. (2001) Replacement of Baby Think it over for LCCVI Family Studies (2006)
  • Lap covers for veterans at Remembrance Day Services and for Fiddicks Nursing Home. (see picture above)
  • Support to Medically Fragile class at Lambton Central Collegiate with keyboard and posture board (2001)
  • Women’s Interval Home, 2 cribs (2001)
  • Lambton Concert Band support for Youth Day Workshop (2002)
  • Purchase part of Trans Canada Trail near Windsor. (2002)
  • Support Harmony Music Education in Lambton and Lambton Youth Choir (2003)
  • Participated in a plant trade for the Petrolia Oiltown Reunion.  (2000)
  • Supported the Petrolia Pool underwater hockey tournament and gave Youth Bowling $75. (2000)
  • Adoption of Moncrief Park with initial donation $1000 and continuing care since 2001
  • Assistance to Food Bank annually

IODE ... women dedicated to a better Canada