Evening star., 1896-12-19

CHRISTMAS CHARITY
Plansof The Evening Star Santa Claus
Club.
4 Big POUND PARTY WEDNESDAY
An Appeal for Funds to Garry on
the Work.
CHILDREN OF THE POOR
CHILDREN OF THE POOR

If at any time of the year ones sympathy
for the poor is excited to the point of CIV
ing something to relieve destitution it is at
Christmas time. The lot CT the poor, and
especially of poor children, seems harder
at time when others are preparing for
festivities. Folks who devote money to
buying costly gifts for well-to-do friends or
furnishing for the rich feasts for weli-fed
households can do it with better grace if
first they have discharged at least some
portion of their duty to the poverty strick-
en-. There are many homes in this city to
which the Christmas time will bring no
merriment. Many will lack not only tur-
key and plum pudding, but even the COM
mon necessities of life. 1t is with the view
to affording a channel for Christmas chari-
ties that The Evening Star Santa Claus
Club came into existence. An appeal is made
this year as last to the good people of the
city to donate money and supplies to aid
the club in its work.
The Star Santa Claus Club.
The Evening Star Santa Claus Club has
always been childrens charity-that is, a
charity conducted in the name of the school
children of the city. 1t was the successor
of the Christmas clubs organized among
the children of the public schools years
dSo. he ODJeCt Oh the CuFlSlmdS CluD was
to provide Christmas cheer and Christ
mas dinner for children who have no
Christmas at home. The clubs raised money
and gave big Christmas dinners, to which
were invited as many of the children of the
poor as could be accommodated. After the
dinner there was Christmas tree, and
gifts were distributed among the little
guests of the clubs. 1t was pretty char
ity, full of the Christmas spirit and was
encouraged in the public schools because 1t
was believed that it taught the children a
lesson of giving. 1t was thought, however,
when The Evening Star Santa Claus Club
was organized and took the field that the
cnarity should take more practical form.
AT tnat Time there was much distress in
the city, and the funds raised by the club
were used m giving substantial relief The
nrst thought of, however, were the chfl
oren, and especially the school children
money was used in providing shoes for
little ones who were unable to go to school
because of their shoeleSs state But much
general relief was given out of the fund
raised by the members of the club.
The Pound Party.
Last year the program was changed, and
what was called pound party" was held
under the auspices of the club. The publi.,
generally was invited to take part and to
contribute supplies to be distributed to the
poor under the general direction of the
ciub. Such confidence in the MANAGEMENT
Va 'He eiuo hdo pean inspired by the good
accomplished by it in previous wears tha;
most liberal response was made to rhe
al peal Oh the club fer provisions A CON
Nenlent arrangement was made by the CON
sent OF Superintendent Powell and the
schoOl authorities under which those who
nao donations to make had merely to take
them 10 the nearest school building. There
lhey were collected and cared for by the
Lrlncipais and teachers, and ultimately the
material was gathered up by wagons fur
nished by The Evening Star and rakan to
the depots, from which the supplies vera
distributed to the poor under the direction
Va va IN one ~ cnari.ies OF the city. This year the
same program will be carried out. The
pound party will be held next Wednesday
the last day CT school,
1t is trusted that this year there will ba
an an equahy generous response to the appeal
Includes any non-perishable provisions. It
Is not desired that people should send old
ciotning to the school buildings because of
might be spread.
Money Needed.
But there is much need for money in ad
dltion to these supplies. Under the direc
ticn OF the supervising principals of the
schools funds raised by the club have been
expended In former years in purchasing
shoes 1or children, who would otherwise
be unable to attend the schools. 1t Is their
opinion That much good has been done in
tnls way. There is nothing that can be of
more practical benefit to poor children than
pair OF good and warm Shoes MANY who
will not find 1t convenient to contribute
supplies to the pound party can give some
.nlng to the fund of the Santa Claus Club.
Ikere Is no better way for one to acouit
hlmsei1 OF some of the duty he owes to the
rcor at the Christmas time. The Eveninr
star VIII receive and account for all sub
scrlptions made and turn the money over
to the supervising principals of the public
sShoois, VINO will see to its expenditure
The subscriptions so far received are as
follows: 80
The Evening Star Newspaper Com
''-''.'''.'.'.... ...'.............-...$1O $1OO W
" j; O......................... 90
Total.. Observation-Disclosures. .S1O2 90