Roadside Cleanup set for May 23
PEIWI exhibits resilience and kindness
The provincial Women’s Institute board of directors welcomes the Renew P.E.I., Together: Phase In Approach recently announced by the P.E.I. government.
As phases continue, the PEIWI board and branches are creating plans to reduce risk during meetings and/ or events. One such event is the annual Roadside Cleanup, now scheduled for Phase 2.
Now set for Saturday, May 23, the provincial board and its branches invite families or individuals to collect litter from roadsides accumulating from this past winter by selecting a section along P.E.I. roads. There is no need to register, and PEIWI and branches welcome participation across the province.
Participants must note the date is subject to change based on COVID-19. During collections, participants must practise physical distancing and follow Chief Public Health Office guidelines.
As traditional WI bags are not available, WI encourages members of the public to use personal clear bags. Former WI bags from previous years can also be used. The PEIWI’s partners include IWMC, Maritime Electric, Pepsi and Cavendish Farms, as well as the Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy, which will be removing the collected litter after May 23.
The world continues to provide challenges, yet the resolve of WI members remains steady in endeavours related to COVID-19. One of many programs being done by members is the Mask Project. To date over 2,000 non-medical masks have been fabricated and delivered to long-term and community care facilities, inclusive of other vulnerable organizations across P.E.I.
Although the masks provided are secondary options for much-needed protective equipment, it is hoped they have lent well to easing minds during an unsettling time.
The donations of marine grade stainless steel nosepieces, elastics, and time by sewing members have enabled the Mask Project to continue. The devotion and care given by the sewers in their fabric selection and their skills has been an extraordinary act of kindness. When arranging the array of masks to repackage for recipients, it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the obvious devotion and beauty of the functional art pieces. For more information on the Mask Project, refer to the links at www.peiwi.ca.
In branch news, members of Hampton WI made a cash donation to the South Shore Food Share and issue a challenge to other branches to donate to their local food banks when possible.
"It's a difficult time for many of our families, friends and neighbours, and it's important to stay healthy," said Hampton branch president Tanya MacDonald.
The New London WI has developed an innovative Book of Comfort. Members collaborated online by contributing favourite comfort recipes, jokes, stories, musings, photos and poems.
To obtain a copy or for information, contact Sheila Forsyth at sheilafforsyth@ gmail.com.
In scholarship news, the deadline of May 31 is in place for the Marie Kenny Community Builders Scholarship and the PEIWI Education Scholarship. For a scholarship list and information, check the WI website, www.peiwi. ca, or call the WI office, 902368-4860. This article is prepared by Ellen MacPhail, executive director for the PEIWI, and appears in The Guardian on the second Friday of the month. For more information on the P.E.I. Women’s Institute, visit www.womensinstitute.pe.ca, phone 902-368-4860 or email wi@gov.pe.ca.