Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-21
HOME FOR DESTITUTE CHILD.
Rem.
An Appeal From the Managers for
Funds for New Buildings,

In October 1865, the Home for Desti-
tute Children went into operation with
seven little girls under its care.
1t is said that the first institution in
the world to be called a "Chidren's
Home" was that founded in Cincinnati
in 1864. If that is true. the Home in
Burlington may be considered one of the
| first. 1t has always been supported by
voluntary charity; in its fl st years by an
nual subscriptions; many hundreds in
all parts of our State gave freely to pro-
vide for these little ones. The raising of
permanent fund, generous gifts of real
estate from the late John p. Howard in
| 1881, and other benefactiOns, made these
| yearly subscriptions no longer necessary
The first home was small brick house
| on Main street. In the summer of 1866
the government building known as the
Marine hospital was purchased, to which
large addition was made in 1875. Since
that time new and spacious barns and
outbuildings and a steam laundry hav e
been erected.
During the 20 years of its existence thu
Home has received and cared for nearly
900 children, ranging in age from an lin
FAINT of days" to II or IA years.
But ON the night of May 1st, 1893, a
great misfortune came upon the Home.
1t was burned to the ground; the out
buildings and steam laundry were sayed.
The insurance money was promptly paid
and it was decided to rebuild at once,
this time on the cottage plan. During
the past year two cottages have been
built, connected with each other by a
low building containing the common
dining room and kitchen. These are in
tnnHnH fnr tha lnruap hnuu opH tri rlc onI
will accommodate about 80 children. But
in building these nearly all of the insur-
ance money has been used, and we sore
ly need two more, one for the babies and
nursery children, the other for general
purposes.
The Home needs money to erect these
buildings. We have an income sufficient
for the yearly expenses of about 100
children, but we have very little money
that we can use for building purposes.
The houses cannot be put up tor less
than S4O,OOO. In this emergency we must
ask help from the friends of the Home
We do this the more hopefully because
we believe that the home has, in the
main, the confidence of the public.
We trust that our friends believe, first
ly, that it is safely and prudently man
aged financially and economically. Sec
ondly, that the children are kindly treat
ed, well cared for, carefully trained and
educated and provided with homes as
soon as it seems best. Thirdly, that
there is real need of just such Home
as this, and always will be, as long as So
ciety is constituted as it now is. AS long
as intemperance, lax divorce laws, idle
ness and improvidence and kindred evils
exist, so long there will be children
who must be cared for by public or pri-
vate charity. There are many. too, who,
by the death or misfortune of those who
would otherwise care for them, are desti-
tute and must be helped.
Will not those who have wealth help
to make home for these helpless child
rem? Will not those who can give but
little, bestow that lttle?-"M Many little
makes mickle" And it would be a
cheering thing to feel that we have the
interest and sympathy of many generous
hearts. As the Christmas time approach.
es, bringing he thought of Jesus Christ
as a little child, will not some remember
these little children, and help us to pro-
vide refuge for them?