The record-union., 1896-12-13
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS
How tho Fund for the Dinner Is Pro-
crossing.
There Will be Something Good to Eat
for All, and Presents for
the Children.

If anyone goes without a Christmas
dinner in Sacramento this year II will
be his own fault. The encouragement
the Salvation Army has already re-
ceived in this direction makes the
members feel confident that the balance
Of the funds necessary will be forth
coming, and that the effort this Christ
mas on behalf Of the poor will be a
| complete success. as in the past.
Smiths Hall, yhich is located very
conveniently, right over the Salvation
| Army citadel, on Seventh street, near
| x, has again been secured. Some peo-
pie have expressed the idea that this
dinner is only partaken of by the tramp
element, but the records show that in
the past, and especially last year. con-
siderably more than 80 per cent. Of
those who sat down to the tables were
women and children. many of whom
were not to be classed with the pauper
| element.
| There are many Woodworking men In
this city with large families who find
it difficult to keep them supplied with
the plainest of food and clothing the
year round, to say nothing of luxuries
or presents, even at Christmas time.
| OF lHeSt, dS iIfuCI DIS lOI diiy OtHei
class, the free Christmas dinner is in
| tended.
1t should not be considered a charity
dinner. in the ordinary sense of the
word but a sort of Christmas present
from those in good or moderate circum-
stances to those who are less fortunate.
The Christmas tree for children is a
great boon to the poor with large fam
lilies, as it provides a substantial pres
ent to, every child whose parents are
too poor to buy them one. With the
toys and little bags of candy and nuts
the children ere enabled to spend a
happy Christmas in spite of their un-
fortunate surroundings
Speaking of toys, there were several
instances last year where parents who
felt too independent to ask for food or
clothing, could not resist asking for
| some toys for their children. They
could perhaps get together enough mon
ey to have something extra for dinner,
but toys were out of the question. And
If it had not been for this free Christ
mas tree many children would have
gone without the toys so necessary to
! enable them to spend truly happy
Christmas.
SO let the toys be sent in, as they
were last year, by those who have any
to spare. Let the we'll clothed. well fed,
happy little children remember their
distressed little brothers and sisters.
The arrangements for the Christmas
tree are as follows: When a case is re-
ported at the office, 1117 Seventh street
| 1t Is as soon as possible investigated
| and II the child is found in need r,f
food or clothing the articles necessary
to complete its little wardrobe are
taken note of. together with it's age
and sex, the size of shoes worn, etc.
The articles are bought. check at
tached bearing marks that are also on
a duplicate check, which is handed to
the child.
On Christmas. in the evening, after
| the big dinner, Santa Claus and his
Brownies begin business, and soon the
little ones receive their bundle OF shoes
and clothing, with some toys and bags
of candy and nuts. The band will play,
and all will have good time. Under
these circumstances it will be possible
for the most poverty stricken young
ster in the city to spend merry Christ
mas.
Following Is the cash so far received
Previously acknowledged. ST. Sub
scribed Saturday: Kirk, Geary & Co,
SO: A. A. Van VOORHEES,, SIS; w. p.
Fuller & Co, 50 80: Locke & Laven-
son. $5: The A. S. Hopkins Co, So:
cash. So; NJ. A. Burke, $40. Total,
$120 80.
SEND THE WEEKLY UNION TO YOUR