Valley Women's Institute

The Valley Women's Institute was formed February 14, 1922. First officers were Mrs. H. Donnelly, Eva Ireland, Martha Barbell, Myrtle Kew and Barbara Edwards and the motto "For Home and Country" was adopted. Membership fee was set at $1 per annum. The first meeting activities centred around the Salmon Arm West School and community concerns, such as health, eduction and neighbourhood needs. The group met in homes until 1924, when it leased the Salmon Arm West School at Hedgeman's corner for $1 per year. The group purchased a small stove for the school so that hot drinks could be made for the children. They sponsored an annual flower show from 1925 to the 1950's when the Institute became involved with Fall Fairs. The group purchased school and playground equipment, had children's teeth examined free of charge and purchased toothbrushes. In 1924 the group purchased a piano for the school and organized a Baby Clinic. The Valley Women's Institute became the push behind surveying the old Salmon Arm West School at Hedgeman's Corner and renamed it "The Community Hall". During WW II, the group provided relief and supported the Red Cross. Relief was sent to "The Lord Mayor of London Fund, the Russian Relief Fund and Chinese Aid. The 1918 Flood Relief and Ceylon Appeal were also supported. The Institute continued to support 4-H Clubs over the years, a driver training course and a goat club. The hall burned in 1961. A new hall was opened in 1962. The mortgage was paid off in 1970 and was celebrated in a mortgage burning party. In celebration of the groups's fiftieth anniversary, Mrs. Fred Irwin presented a gift of $1000 to the Shuswap Lake General Hospital in honour of deceased members. In 1974 the group sold the hall to the Sheltered Workshop for the mentally handicapped.