It takes a long time to grow an old friend.
You could call it the unofficial motto of the Dilke Red Cross Society, with close-knit friendships being one of the reasons why the organization has lasted the test of time.
The group from the small Saskatchewan community of Dilke is celebrating 100 years this year.
It began in 1916 with a membership of strictly men. However, when the war began, many women stepped up to the plate to help out.
“(Being a member) attracted my attention because whenever there was some disaster... the Red Cross was always the first there,” said Alice Hein, who is one of the longest-serving members of the Dilke Red Cross Society. She joined in 1955.
Alice’s mother was also a member of the society, and the family tradition has carried on as her daughters have also joined.
Throughout the years, the organization has put on craft and bake sales, annual bazars, dances and other social events in order to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross. It was during wartime that Peg Mortin joined the society, just before Hein, in the late 1940s. She said she recalls making clothing and packing parcels for the men overseas.
“That’s where I learned to quilt, with the Red Cross,” laughed Peg.
As the decades went by no job was too big or too small for the society. When nearby families needed money for medical trips, they raised the cash. During the Great Depression, they gathered clothing and supplies for families that needed it. The society even put on swimming and water safety courses in the 1950s and 60s.
All the while, the members say the best part was getting to do this meaningful work alongside your friends.
“When you’re doing the same things for the same purpose... you get to be a closer friend,” said Peg.
You could call it the unofficial motto of the Dilke Red Cross Society, with close-knit friendships being one of the reasons why the organization has lasted the test of time.
The group from the small Saskatchewan community of Dilke is celebrating 100 years this year.
It began in 1916 with a membership of strictly men. However, when the war began, many women stepped up to the plate to help out.
“(Being a member) attracted my attention because whenever there was some disaster... the Red Cross was always the first there,” said Alice Hein, who is one of the longest-serving members of the Dilke Red Cross Society. She joined in 1955.
Throughout the years, the organization has put on craft and bake sales, annual bazars, dances and other social events in order to raise money for the Canadian Red Cross. It was during wartime that Peg Mortin joined the society, just before Hein, in the late 1940s. She said she recalls making clothing and packing parcels for the men overseas.
“That’s where I learned to quilt, with the Red Cross,” laughed Peg.
As the decades went by no job was too big or too small for the society. When nearby families needed money for medical trips, they raised the cash. During the Great Depression, they gathered clothing and supplies for families that needed it. The society even put on swimming and water safety courses in the 1950s and 60s.
All the while, the members say the best part was getting to do this meaningful work alongside your friends.
“When you’re doing the same things for the same purpose... you get to be a closer friend,” said Peg.
