Apple pie milestone for Belleville Kinettes
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Making their way into local charities hearts is the Kinette Club of Belleville.
The small group of 10 women made their 1,000th apple pie Saturday.
"We’ve been making the pies about 10 years and each time we make 100 to 110; so it just dawned on us that this year we’d be making 1000 pies," said President Kay Quirt, of the Kinette Club of Belleville.
“We don’t bake them, we just make them and they get delivered hopefully that same day ... they have instructions on them so you can’t go wrong and believe me we all need them; so we put instruction labels on the boxes so nobody can make a mistake,” said Quirt
The club was charted in 1949 with 42 members that were all wives of Kinsmen, the only all-Canadian service club in Canada.
That used to be the only way to become a member but times have changed and now we welcome any ladies who’d like to help others, said Quirt.
The Kinette’s small group of 10 runs weekly TV Bingo on Cogeco, they provide a bursary at Loyalist College, they have a toll stop to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis, and two Nevada outlets.
They also support many local charities with over $16,000 annually as well as making regular donations to their National Association such as Almost Home (In Kingston) Operation Go Home, a National Disaster Fund, and a bursary fund.
“We not only raise money to help others but we also give our time,” said Quirt.
In the first year as a service club, the club adopted the local White Cane Club as their major service project.
“That was thanks to the late Maude Rollins, who was a Charter Member and our first Life Member,” said Quirt.
Over the years they purchased numerous white canes, talking books, assisted with their blind bowling teams by buying shirts, trophies and a guide rail.
They have purchased Christmas baskets for the needy who are visually impaired, made and served lunches for their monthly meetings and put on an annual dinner for their families and friends.
“We do what we can with our 10 members but we are always looking for more,” she said.
For more information on how to get involved visit the national organization website at www.kincanada.ca. or contact President Kay Quirt at 613-968-4916.