Erland Lee Award

              " Here comes the? WI." This is the response that John
McDonald receives when he walks through the door of many of
the community services agencies in Red Deer Alberta,,
John McDonald was born the first of si;-; children to parents
Angus and Margaret, and one of a set. of twins. He was
raised and schooled in the Ridgewood district, southwest of
Red Deer. In i957 he married Helen Kovacs and they raised a
family of two daughters and one son. Helen McDonald joined
the Ridgewood Women's Institute in 1958. As with most WI
husbands, whenever there was a job to do that required a
man's hand, John was there to do his share. Over the past
several years since his retirement from farming John has
been an extremely good friend and support to the WI.
His carpentry skills have been utilized many times. Our
branch has worked with the local Christmas Bureau for
several yt^ ars. A variety of projects have been made and
donated. For many years used dolls were given to us to be
readied for Santa to give to little girls. While members
scrubbed, curled, primped and dressed these dolls, John was
busy in his workshop making each doll its own wooden bed.
When the branch offered basketry courses, John was called
upon to drill the holes and cut the bases for the many items
that, were made during the courses. Our branch put our
basket weaving skills to use for several years for fund
raising through the Charity E< azzar. Again John supplied the
many bases for these. If a wooden sign was needed for any
event, John was alwa* ys Johnny- on- the- spot. His carpentry
and handyman talents are very evident at. the community hall,.
Since being retired John has donated countless hours of his
time doing general maintainance work there.
When wife Helen accepted the position of Social Services
convenor, John soon became know as Women's Institute. Over
the years he has assisted Helen in pick up, sorting,
loadding and delivery of donated goods. He has delivered
close to two thousand pounds of fresh vegetables, as well
as many boxes of nonperishable foodgoods to the Food Bank.
Countless garbage bags full of used clothing taken to the
Clothing Bank and the Women's Shelter. His truck also knows
its own way to the Women's Outreach Center and its warehouse
with large items of furniture, dishes, cooking utensils,
bedding etc. The children at. Parkland EJchool for the
learning challenged, are grateful for the many greeting
cards that, have been collected and delivered by John. When
Red Deer decided to build PeopIe" s Place, a shelter for
homeless men and youth, quilting bees were held to help
provide bedding. Again John's delivery service was called
on. John did the Cancer Canvas for a few years in the
district. When he felt he could no longer continue with this