It may not be the largest organization, at least in its current form, but there are few West Shore groups that can match the rich history of the Colwood branch of the WomenB次元官网网址檚 Institute.

The group formed in 1910 and held its first meeting at the Colwood Community Hall, which remains its home base.

From sending their sewing work to air raid victims in Great Britain during the Second World War to initiatives involving B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, the fingerprints of Colwood chapter members have been on numerous humanitarian initiatives over the past nearly 107 years.

For a great number of those years, Dola Acres has counted herself as part of the storied organization, and she continues to serve as one of the InstituteB次元官网网址檚 15 members today.

Acres joined in 1945, right after completing high school.

ItB次元官网网址檚 often been a family affair for her: at one point four generations of her family were members.

When she joined, her mother, two grandmothers and four aunts were already members.

B次元官网网址淪o of course, I got signed up,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 grown up with the institute.B次元官网网址�

Acres served as secretary-treasurer from 1985 up until 2013.

In addition to time spent with family in those early years, Acres cherishes the friends she has made over her decades of service.

B次元官网网址淲e always find very friendly (people). All Institute members are very friendly people,B次元官网网址� she said.

Institute president Molly Spencer agreed with that sentiment.  B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a sociable, friendly group,B次元官网网址� she said.

After all her years of service, Acres is most proud of the B.C. WomenB次元官网网址檚 InstitutesB次元官网网址� instrumental work in establishing the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, formerly the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, and the B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital.

Other initiatives include work with local Girl Guides and Boy Scouts groups and donations to families in need.

Current efforts from the organization continue to focus on children and include the sponsorship of the Spuds in Tubs program, which provides individual elementary school classrooms the opportunity to grow, harvest and prepare their own food as part of their curriculum.

The Institute has sponsored one classroom this year, but hopes to cover the program costs for all Colwood elementary schools beginning in the fall of 2017.

B次元官网网址淲e want to try to encourage knowledge about how things grow and ecology and that kind of thing,B次元官网网址� Spencer said.

The Institute is also looking to add to its membership. Interested parties can contact Spencer at 250-391-6628.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com