The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-12-21
Home for Destitute Children,

In October, 1868 the Home for Destitute
Children at Burlington went into opera
tion with seven little girls under its care
1t is said that the first institution in the
world to be called Children's Home" was
that founded in Cincinnati in 1854. 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
first years by annual subscriptions; many
hundreds in all parts of our State gave
| freely to provide for these little ones, The
raising of Permanent Fund, generous
| gifts of real estate from the late John p
Howard in 1881, and other benefactlons
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 steam laundry have
been erected
During the twenty-nine years of its ex-
istence the Home has received and cared
for nearly nine hundred children ranging
in age from an infant of days" to twelve
or fourteen years.
But on the night of May LIST, 1893, great
misfortune came upon the Home. 1t was
burned to the ground: the Outbuildings and
steam laundry were saved. The insurance
money was promptly paid and it was decid-
ed to rebuild at once, this time on the cot
tage plan.
During the past year two cottages have
been built, connected with each other by
low building containing the common dining
room and kitchen. These are intended for
the larger boys and girls, and Will accom-
mOdate about fifty children.
But in building these nearly all OF the |
Insurance money has been used, and we
;orely need two more, one for babies and |
nursery children, the other for general /
purposes.
The Home needs money to erect these /
buildings. We have an income suf1clent
for fine YEARLY expenses of about one hun
bred children, but we have very little mon
,y that we can use for building purposes.
The houses cannot be put up for less than
$40, 900. In this emergency we must ask
help from the friends of the Home.
We do this the more hopefully because we
trus - the Home has, in the main, the
cOnfio { pubic u;...,,,
Weu lat our friends believe, Firstly.
that it is safely and prudently managed
financially and economically. secondly;
that the children are kindly treated, wen
and provided with homes as soon as 1t seems
hest. Thirdly, that there is real need OF
inst such a Home as this is. and always
will be, as long as society is constituted as
il now is. AS long as intemperance, lax
divorce laws, idleness and lmproyluensTIg5
he children who must be cared for by pup
lie or private charity. There are many,
too. who by the death or misfortunes OF
those who would otherwise care for them,
are destitute and must be helped,
will not those who have wealth help 20
make a Home for these homeless children
Will not those who can give but httle, De
stovV that little ?-"Many a little makes a /
nicl,le" And il would be a cheering thing |
IN feel that we have the interest and sym
uathy of many generous hearts. -
Asthe Christmas time approaches, bring |
ing the thought of Jesus Christ as a little
child, will not some remember these nttle
children. and help us to provide a refuge
for them?