1915-05-03hi

“Call after call has been made on the residents of Hamilton to give financial support towards funds for the boys who are at the front fighting for their country, for the protection of woman and children, yet they are always ready and willing to go down in their pockets and subscribe still more.”¹

Hamilton Times.    May 3, 1915.

There were many fundraising efforts Hamilton in the spring of 1915, efforts large and small, to help the soldiers figting in Western Europe.

One effort was short in duration but very well organized, focused and successful.

The enterprise was called Hospital Sunday, and was the result of an idea initiated and supervised by members of the Paardeburg Chapter, of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (I.O.D.E.)

Hospital Sunday was held on May 2, 1915:

“Graduate nurses and nurses in training at the city hospital stationed themselves at the doors of each church, and, dressed in the uniform of their order, they smilingly accepted all the donations that were offered, and the response was generous.”¹

 ¹ “Raised $4,000 for Hospital”

Hamilton Times. May 3, 1915.

The collective efforts of Hospital Sunday were not confined to canvassing church goers as they left services:

“In the afternoon, a number of young ladies took up positions on the main thoroughfares and here again they were rewarded.

“The Thirteenth, Ninety-First and Salvation Army bands turned out to assist, giving concerts in the parks. Though the weather was threatening, large crowds congregated around the music.”¹

It was estimated, before the fully tally was made, that over $4,000 had been raised on Hospital Sunday:

“This will be turned over to Paardeburg Chapter, I.O.D.E., to be used in purchasing hospital supplies and other necessaries for the Canadian soldiers, especially for the Hamilton boys, who are not only battling against tremendous odds, but are also fighting the rigors of a campaign in a foreign climate.”¹