The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-04-29
FRESH AIR FUND.
~
Annual Meeting Yesterday and Election
of ofHcers. = 4


Annual Meeting Yesterday and Election
9 of oficers. ~
The annual meeting of the Fresh Air
S'ciety was held at the Young Mems
ristian Association rooms yesterday
n prning. The secretary, Mrs. G. f.
french, made the following report:
Secretary's Report.
The first regular meeting of the socie-
ty was held April 80. 1887. During the
five years of its existence it has steadily
increased in efficiency. In 1891, the larg-
est number of persons were reached; the
society benefited nearly 200 persons and
expended only $514.67. This improve
ment is due mainly to the thorough
methods of work, !. e. ''Decently and in
order.'' From the first inception of the
work it seemed to commend itself to all
kind-hearted people, and they gave will
lingly for the work. Since the first year
there has been no lack Of friends, and
each year a small balance is left in the
bank, and this is a good test of your bus
mess methods. Next to the money is
transportation. The society has met
with very generous support from all
transportation companies. We would
thank these transportation companies
and also the officials and employees who
have treated the members of the society
and the benefciaries with uniform kind
ness and courtesy. AS most of the trans
portation is free, it is right to be just as
cautious in voting it as though it was to
be paid for from the treasury.
The society's greatest benefit is to sick
and needy children, yet each year an in
creased number of women are reached,
many Of whom have seen better days,
bnt now are unable of themselves to
take weeks rest, as they have to work
each day for each days necessities. 1t
is very hard to reach this class, but the
investigating committee is made up of
ladies, who have the tact and refinement
needed in these cases.
A tired mother was told that she could
take her little girl and so into the coun-
try for two weeks, and She could not un-
derstand what power or force could
throw so much happiness into her life;
and when made to understand that it was
all true, she accepted, but was too much
dazed to say thank you, and wrote a let
ter full Of surprise to express her thanks,
Investigating Committee.
Mrs. Nellie T. King, chairman Of the
Investigating committee, made the fol-
lowing report:
The committee entered upon the sea-
sons work with a determination to ex-
ercise unusual care in the investigation
of cases sent to them, in order that the
benefits of the society might be given to
those most worthy and deserving. We
believe we are safe in asserting that never
before have the cases proved Of such inter
est, being among them hospital patients
recovering from illness or severe opera
tons, seamstresses unused to receiving
aid who work with their needle, often
late into the evening; clerks in some of
the leading stores of the city, overworked
mothers and delicate children. Visits
to such cases were very satisfactory and
we recall with pleasure the expressions
of gratitude and appreciation on the
part of many who could hardly believe
the good news carried to them. An ac-
well-nigh impossible. The investigation
Of single case often represents several
visits. s5A
While the greater number of calls
were made among families who had been
previously aided by the society, yet be-
tween go and 10 new families were inves-
tigated during the summer, many of
them proving especially worthy of
help.
To each member of the committee the
chairman would like to express sincere
thanks for her interest in the work, and
her ready and cheerful response to every
call.
It has been an unwritten law with this
committee, that as they carry the prom
Use of material aid to those who are in
need, they also try to dispense cheer,
and sympathy and hope, not forgetting
that
Who gives hinassJ with his aims feeds three,
Himself, his hungry neighbour and Me.
Treasurer's Report.
The treasurer, Theodore G. Woodbury.,
reported as follows:
Receipts. ~
June /, to cash balance with Woodbury.
To cash received from j. L. Crie9 Is
July ID, to cash received from finance
committee ...........,...... 1880
r,a committee. -. -. -. 10000
-, committee: ......:...... 1880
committee ..,.......... 1880
Aug. 10, to cash received from finance
80 committee ::......., 1850
Sept. 8, to cash received from finance
committee .................. 44.23
Oct. /, to interest to date on account
at bank. 1853
sea7.4s
Sept. IT, paid board of benef-