​South Bruce Retired Women Teachers celebrate literacy and volunteerism

It was a beautiful day for a drive to Southampton, Tuesday, as 25 members of the South Bruce Retired Women Teachers of Ontario/Organization des eneignantes retraitées de l’Ontario (RWTO/OERO) gathered to celebrate spring, literacy and volunteerism.

President Frances Nixon welcomed everyone with readings on the theme of volunteers and noted that the letter “u” in “volunteer” stands for “you.”

To mark National Volunteer Week, she invited attendees to write the names of the groups they currently volunteer with or have supported since retiring from teaching. This generated a long and eclectic list of 62 organizations involving support of everything from food banks, seniors, hospital and church groups, environmental, sports and agricultural organizations to theatre and refugees.

Nixon conducted a vote on the resolutions that have been put forward for consideration at the provincial annual general meeting in early June. She will be the branch’s voting delegate.

After presenting the financial report, treasurer Carole Machan put forth the proposed charitable donations and they were voted on as well. Recipients include Books in the Bruce, Huron Shores Hospice and United Way of Bruce Grey.

Machan has been an integral part of the branch’s executive but after nearly two decades as treasurer, it was time to pass the torch. Happily, Heather Keelan agreed to take on this important role.

The raffle prize of wine and books was won by Sharon Ribey.

Following a delicious lunch, guest Karen Ruetz of Books in the Bruce, was introduced. This not-for-profit group was founded in 2017 as a way to support literacy and social connection in Huron-Kinloss and is open to children, up to the age of five, with their parents.

Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at the Pine River United Church during colder months. When the weather is warmer, trail walks are organized at different locations with the book pages enlarged and posted at various points along the path.

Each meeting features breakfast, socializing, singing and a storybook. At the end of the meeting, each family takes home a copy of the book to keep. Through the generosity of sponsors, donors and grants, up to 400 books are given out each year.

The South Bruce RWTO/OERO Branch was happy to support this group with a donation and members had many questions for Ruetz.

The next gathering will be a picnic, June 18, at the home of Rosie Neilson in Point Clark. Details will be posted on the branch’s page at rwto.org/branch-new/south-bruce/.