Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-01

consists of Mr.. J. w Whelpley president OF
the school board; Mr. w. b. Powell. SUPER
intendent of schools; Mr.. r. Ross Perry,
the organizer of the old children's Christ
mas clubs: Mr.. A. L. Stuart, supervising
principal of the third division of public
schools; Mr. L. S. Emery, general secretary
of the associated charities. and Messrs.
Rudolph Kaufman and Frank b. Noyes
of The Evening Star.
Last Years Plan In Force.
1t was decided that the plan Of last years
organization should be put in force again,
and that the children of the public schools
should be invited to join the club and help
to reduce the sufferings OF Washington
poor. Twenty-Five thousand badges are on
hand. ready for immediate distribution.
They are similar to those Of 1893. except
that the pin Is Of silver. The blue rib
bons are longer and bear the emblem,
Evening Star s. c. c., a." in a Christ
mas looking type. These badges were d.
vided into lots to be sent to the different
public schools. Last year there was some
trouble experienced on account of the de-
lay in the delivery of the pins. but there
is no danger whatever now of such an
event.
Membership in this club, which is organ
lied for the double purpose of first locat-
ing suffering and then relieving it, is open
to any person who may choose to pay
10 cents. In return for a dime is given a
badge, which is a certificate that the wear
er is an organized fighter against Yule-t tide
sorrow. The pins are substantial and will
be a pleasing ornament long after the
dainty blue ribbon has become soiIed 1t
is hoped. though. that the ribbons them
selves will outlast the misery of a cheer
less Christ mas that now threatens 80 many
homes.
Duty. of Members of the Club.
Each public school pupil member of The
Evening Star Santa Claus Club will be
asked to look out for genuine cases of need,
and to report them to their teachers. Each
public school teacher will receive these re-
ports, which will then go to the supervising
principals, and so the cases will be sifted;
the wheat will be winnowed from the char,
the needy from the unworthy. The Santa
Claus Club wants to relieve the suffering of
all worthy poor people in the District. 1t can
do this with enough members and enough
money. 1t needs the members to find out
| the real cases of necessity, and then 1t
must have the money to pay for the food,
| or fuel. or clothing, that may be most bit
terly wanted.
Not an Idle Appeal.
So it has not been an idle appeal that
| has heretofore been made to the children
of Washington and their parents. Year
| after year the charity funds have been
| swelled by contributions from all sources,
| ard The Evening Star Santa Claus Club has
| come to be a great factor in doing good.
Last year a total of s2,S44.2S was raised
| in this way alone. OF this sum The Star
gave $500 and the children, with their
dimes, and the older people, with their
| dollars, raised the balance of $2,344.2S.
The Aim This Year.
Can not the Santa Claus Club of "a raise
$500. 1t does not seem an impossible
task in the light of other experiences. The
Star will give $500, it did last year, and
thus head the list. There Is also contri-
button Of $40, made some weeks ago by the
memters Of a jury at the expiration Of
their term of service at the court house.
So the club has a nest egg of 500 to begin
with AS has been stated, already 25OO0
badges are now in hand and arrangements
have been made SO that more can be quick
ly obtained If there should be a demand
for them. 1t Is sincerely to be hoped that
as many as 10000 will be needed, for every
dime helps in the fight.
Santa Claus club badges can be purchased
at The Star office counter after today.
Give now! Do not wait until Christ
mas! Hunger is not holding off until the
18th Of December. Shoes and clothes are
wearing out today. Dimes given now may
do more good than dollars given a month
later.