Evening star., 1896-12-21
CHRISTMAS AND aTfse POOR
The Evening Star Santa Claus Club and Its
Work.
The Pound Party to Be AsIA wednes-
day-Funds Needed for Shoes
for Destitute Children.

There Is nothing so likely to call atten-
tion to the needs and sufferings of he
poor as the coincidence of; cold weather
and the glad Christmas timk.
AT the season Of the year when, If ever,
JOY and peace rule in the ihemes of all,
when preparations are making to add to
the happiness and pleasure iof loved ones,
1t is no, easy matter to forget that there
are homes where Christmas means little
but an agSravatioh. Of distress by COM
parison with what might bk.
OF all the festivals of th@ year there iss
none SO dear to the hearts ,of Httfe child
dren as Christmas, for TO them 1t means
the realization of all their. hopes and
dreams. 1t means haIpiness for most
children. but unfortunately, mot for ALI
There are little ones, dear; To mothers
heart as any darling In home of wealth,
who will hang up their stockings On
Christmas eve and wake early Christmas
morn to find them empty.
Life for grown-up people is not free from
sorrow. but rarely is there a sorrow as
keen as that known by little child when
he realizes that Santa Claus is not a
J, friend of his, and for some reason un-
known to him has passed him by to go to
homes where parents are rich and could
assistance of the dear old saint
1t is for Just such children as these, the
little ones who are not down on Santa S
visiting list, that The Evening Star Santa
Claus Club is designed. 1t is the chill
dren's club, and it's aim is to make other
children happy. 1t Is a channel through
which Christmas charities can pour. Read
ers of The Star know that they may give
to the club with the feeling that whatever
they may see fit to give will, reach some
deserving person who Is In need of the
bare necessities of life.
This year, as last, the Christmas Club
will devote itself to a pound party for the
benefit of the poor. Its objects meet with
the hearty approval of tine public school
authorities, and through their co-opera-
ton, every public school building in the
District will be made a depot for receiv-
ing supplies on Wednesday, the day set
apart for the pound party. The supervis-
ing principals have directed all the teach
ers to bring the matter to the attention of
their scholars, and have urged them to
make the best of the opportunity to give
the children lesson in practical philan-
thropy. Wednesday is the last school day
before the Christmas vacation. and 1t is
hoped that on that day every person who
can will send donation to the school
building nearest his home.
What is wanted most of all is provisions
of non-perishable nature. Old clothing,
for sanitary reasons, is not desired. All
donations, and it is expected that they
will be generous, will be Sgathered up in
wagons provided by The Evening Star, and
taken to the depots, from which they will
be distributed to the poor of the city,
through the regular charity organizations.
But there is much need for money in ad-
dition to these supplies. Under the direc-
ton of the supervising principals Of the
schools funds raised by the club have been
expended in former years In purchasing
shoes for children. who would otherwise
be unable TO attend the schools. There is
nothing that can be of more practicsI bene-
fit to poor children than a px.r q good
warm shoes. Many who Will not I'D it
convenient to contribute supplies % the
fund of the Santa Ciaus Club The Evening
Star win receive and account for all SUBJ
scriptions made and turn the money over
to the supervising principals Of the public
schools, who will see to it's expenditure
Subscriptions to The Evening Star Santa
Claus Club have been received as follows:
Heretofore acknowledged. .... $1O2 Go
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