Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-09
SANTA CLAUS CLUB.
The Stars" Big Organization to Do
Lots of Good Work This Year.
4 CHANCE FOR ALL TO HELP.
The Hungry to be Fed and the
Shivering to be Clad.
A NEW BADGE THIS YEAR.
A NEW BADGE THIS YEAR.

Christmas! What visions of happiness the
word conjures up! What glorious memories
for the old! What joyous anticipations for
the young! A season of merry making and
of plenty. of stocking hanging and of
ChristHes trees, of family reunions around
alta-s steamng with the incense of plum
pudding; a season when the spirit of love
for all mankind is abroad, but
Draw the curtain and one sees another
side to this picture of Christmas There are
homes to which 1t brings no cheer; there
are little ones who will wait in vain for
Santa Claus and whose Christmas portion
bids fair to be only hunger and misery;
there are mothers who will draw their chill
dren to them on that day for warmth; poor
little ones who will know only that Christ
mas is cold.
And how much harder the lot of the poor
seems to be at that time when the air is
filled with glad songs and joyous laughter;
when on every hand the riches of Christ
mas, soft, warm clothing. the light of cheer
full flresides, the savory odors of Christmas
feasts. seem to mock their want.
Christmas is a season for merriment; il
should not be a season for misery too There
is a way to greatly reduce the misery and
to greatly increase the general happiness
who aid in the good work
Santa Claus, The Evening Star and the
children Of the city formed last Christ
mas triple alliance against cold and hum
ger. Thousands Of boys and girls enrolled
themselves in The Evening Star Santa
Claus Club, and their dimes and the money
and supplies contributed by others who
caught the spirit Of the club made many a.
cherries home warm and bright, stilled
the cries of hunger, put shoes on many a
pair Of little feet and warm coats on MANY
shivering little body. The club is to be
reorganized this year, and its managers
hope 1t will do even more than it did last
year, for there is greater need.
How Everybody Can Help.
The same general plan is to be followed
as that adopted last year. Right here il
should be stated that because this is a
| club for young people older people are not
going to be denied opportunity of helping in
the good work. The distress is great. and
the club will have use for all that the good
people of the city can give it in the way of
money or useful supplies. The club and
the agencies allied with it furnish an eff
Gent mode of reaching those who are in
| actual need The active members of the
club, the school children forming an army
or scouts, covering every square of the city
in their inquiries, make reports of cases of
need. Then the Associated Charities, as
we'll as the school organization, is availed
Of in applying relief quickly and effectively.
So The Evening Star Santa Claus Club
affords to all a means of doing good, of
giving to those who need
| Subscriptions to its fund will be received
at The Star office, and properly credited.
The Evening Star Company has given TO
start the fund the sum of $500. 1t is not
expected. of course, that every subscriber
shall give $500. Whatever sum one chooses
to give will be welcome, and there will be
need for every penny. In addition to the
poor who are always with us, there is dis
tress in many home that never knew ex-
IRENE want before, for work is scarce and
men who would willingly toll. who YEARLY
tramp 1.-The streets in vain search for en-
ployment, are compelled to see their wives
and little ones suffer with cold and hunger,
and are powerless to help.
The Plan of the Club.
Now for the club and its plan. The idea