INNISFAIL - The Innisfail chapter of one of the world’s oldest fraternal organizations dedicated to improving the quality of lives in their communities ended 2024 with a flurry of well-deserved donations.
Kathy Harrington, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Innisfail Chapter #37, said a recent donation of $4,000 was made to the Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary for the purchase of four powered recliner chairs at Innisfail Furniture & Appliance Ltd. for residents at the Innisfail Rosefield Centre.
“The recliners will provide many years of comfort to many of our senior residents who make Rosefield Centre their home,” said Harrington.
As well, two scholarships of $1,250 were made in 2024 to a pair of Innisfail High School students.
The Innisfail OES Chapter #37, which currently has about 30 members, also made a motion at its Dec. 7 chapter meeting to donate $200 each to the Innisfail and District Food Bank and Innisfail Christmas Bureau.
“Supporting our community is important to us. When we have the funds to do it we definitely make donations on an annual basis, and we do others as well, like to the food bank and Christmas Bureau every year,” said Harrington.
The Order of the Eastern Star (OES) is an international fraternal organization composed of both women and men affiliated with Freemasonry. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason.
The Order of the Eastern Star was first established in Alberta 112 years ago in 1912, with the first chapter established in Olds the same year as the Mountainview Chapter #1.
The Innisfail Chapter #37 was established 104 years ago in 1920.
Today, there are a total of 22 chapters in Alberta.
The Innisfail chapter's total donations for the 2024 year now sits at $7,700. They are as follows:
• $150 to the Alberta & B.C. Guide Dogs;
• $150 to the Order of the Eastern Star Charities Foundation;
• $2,500 for scholarships to two Innisfail High School Graduating Students ($1,250 each);
• $4,000 to the Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary for the purchase of four powered recliner chairs for the Rosefield Centre;
• $500 to the Innisfail Anglican Church, and
• $200 each to the Innisfail and District Food Bank, and the Innisfail Christmas Bureau.
