HALDIMAND — The Haldimand District Women’s Institute (WI) met at St. John the Divine Anglican Church in Cayuga on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Attendees were met with delicious home baked muffins and beverages to start the day. Everyone received the annual reports booklet.
Members appreciated hearing from Haldimand Federation of Agriculture and Eugene Tjepkema, who brought everyone up to date on Haldimand 4-H happenings.
After, members enjoyed a cold buffet lunch with homemade ice cream cake; then speaker Jessica Durka presented.
Jessica told the group about her experience with cancer and treatment. After she recovered, because she had received kindness, she was moved to establish South Coast Cancer Care.
Jessica and her friend, Marlene Topper, began creating community care gift bags to encourage and support men and women on their cancer journeys.
Now, Jessica has a network of volunteers who collect and purchase items, and others who sew quilts, hats, and support pillows.
Volunteers deliver the bags in Haldimand and Norfolk upon request, and will supply bags for family and friends who live elsewhere.
The bags contain various items for comfort and entertainment, such as treats, books, teas, ointments, pillows, and more. The contents are valuable and supplied by generous donors.
Jessica has raised $250,000 for Juravinski Cancer Centre by selling pumpkins on the roadside.
In 2022, she was named Citizen of the Year at the Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce Achievement Awards.
Her group can be reached by email at: communitycaringforcancer@gmail.com.
A memoriam ceremony to remember former WI members Sue Wright and Dorothy Richardson was also conducted by Cayuga WI members.
The current officers are: President Ellen Guenther, Vice President Susan Bacher, Secretary Margaret Wilson, Treasurer Margaret Crawley, and Public Relations Elizabeth Hurkmans.
Donations from the Kohler Craft Show Funds were decided upon. After a discussion, it was decided that Cayuga WI would organize the Kohler Craft Show, with help from Canfield and Sims Locks.
Lucky members were winners of several door prizes.
For more information about Haldimand District WI, please contact Elizabeth Hurkmans at 905-772-0196.
