New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-03
TRIBUNE SUNSHINE SOCIETY.
ITS BEGINNINGS. HISTORY. OBJECT AND
METHODS.
1T Is NOT a CHARITY. But AN INTERCHANGE OF
KINDLY GREETINGS AND TIE PASS
ING on OF GOOD CHEER"

To the questions so often asked How did the
Sunshine Society originate?" What is Its object?
What has 1t accomplished and How do you do
the work.? the following answers are made Dur
ing the holidays several years ago the President
General was the recipient Of number OF cards
from her co-workers. well as outside friends On
Christmas Day she protested. and said that while
she had enjoyed her gifts she would have had in
hniely pleasure in their receipt II the don
had not written their names on them. This
statement Mortified her audience. who. with one
accord. exclaimed
What You wouldn't give presents AWAY.
would you?''
why not?" was the answer. What do you do
with yours" A laughing investigation soon de-
veloped the fact that the wastebasket was the ut-
mate destination Of most OF the cards received
Some spent few months tackled on the wall until
hy-specked and dsoOlored others were USED AZ
bookmarks until lopeared then all were thrown
away without having given an additional ray OF
sunshine to any one beyond the immediate recip-
lent.
"Suppose YOU take the history Of one pretty ten
cent cail that came to me year ago. said the
President General 1T had an exquisite little poem
on H. and | enjoyed II so much that thought NJ
once of an old uncle who would also appreciate IL.
and forwarded II to him. He. as thought ne
would did enjoy It. and go much that he imme-
diately recalled another old friend TO whom II
would appeal with special force. 80 he copied the
poem and sent the card on. This recipient iouho
the sentiment so sweet that she too ielt caI'eu
upon 10 pass I; on and before the seven days hoh-
day was over the card had carried It's christmas
message to six different people. or course. inns
IS an exception but still II is example OF the IN
finite possibilities Of n gift II accepted in the true
spirit and then passed on. giving each one 'he
double delight OF receiving and giving
The cards which had afforded the text Tor the III
tle sermon were then spread out and their posi-
hili,,es discussed Here a dainty one, win a
great cluster OF royal purple pansies MS 90
and-so loves pansies. and IT might nave oeeh sent
on 10 her II II hadn't been marked all over As"'''
a group of cunning little pussies that would nave
been Just the tqing for little Invalid ch.'u VINO
needed amusing" but that. too. was careiuHs
marked with the name Of the sender, ana thuS
spoiled for passing on
Inspired with this idea of sending OUT reihcin-
brances that might be multiplied fourfoid' ne"
SGT NJ cards was given by the staff to the Presl-
dent-General. who Immediately sent them all out
again The thanks received for these cards were
so pretty that item was made OF 1t In the paper
This caused further correspondence ana resulted
in a club for the exchange OF friendly greetings
The name chat" was at first chosen for the col
u,nn but in time the membership grew so large
that a club badge and the motto Good Cheer
were selected.
On the January Is 1895 announcement was maze
IN this paper that the name of the society would be
changed TO the Tribune Sunshine Society.
OBJECT
The object of the society outlined in its rules
IS TO distribute in homes all the United States
as much sunshine" as possible particular attention
being paid to "shut-ns people VINO are unapie' 10
any great extent to enjoy the freedom OF outdoor
life Through the Sunshine Society the members
will receive the many advantages arising sing from rom
unity fellowship and cooperation with those STU
ated under similar circumstances as themselves
MEMBERSHIP.
Its active membership consists OF the actual
the peoPe VINO are desro gS OF word or
deed and those who live far from cities ana VINO
muncation with their fellow-beinss
THE CLUB MOTTO.
The club motto. Good Cheer" was furnished by
Mrs W H. Chase The competition for furnishing
the socety's motto ran for three months. and thou
furnished by the diffcrent members The committee
chose from all Of these the selection sent by Mrs
W. H. Chase. of Brooklyn.
THE FLORAL EMBLEM
The floral emblem is the coreopss. selected from
beers. The flower chosen was sent by Mrs. Richard
Norton of Hiehtstown, y. J. The coreopsis Is
and sunhower family. 1t begins 10 flower early IN
June, and continues In blossom Hn'I tne lF0sr
being once planted II takes care Of Itself and
shine, which. though it may disappear for time.
The club coors are yellow and white and were
selected by Mrs. +. L.: Scoheld state president OF
the Connecticut T. 5. s Branches Yellow IS ypi-
attic OF the purity Of purpose that characerzes the
sunshine work. The song Is yet to be decided upon
All suggestions welcomed
the growth of the society has been almost phe-
nonenal Starting from thought, II has grown
until it's members now number over six thousand
From the one parent society branches have sprung
up until every State in the Union Is represented
with regularly enrolled presidents. When State
has ten branches. each one consisting Of at least
ten members. II becomes entitled TO State presi-
dent SO far Connecticut is the banner State, but
Is closely crowded by Colorado and Pennsylvania.
which have quite nc many members. but are not as
vet as carefully organized.
Besides the various States and Territories OF the
United States there also branches In India. Aus
fra,ia France Canada. the Bahamas and Mexico.
At the beginning OF each year new rollbook *
opened which contains the names of all who have
pa,d their annual dues. Already al the general
office go have been reenroed for 1899 while many
of the branches are still to be heard from.
From this time these various branch reports
will be printed as they come in. giving the names
Of the presidents of each branch. together with
some particulars Of their especial work until each
State has been represented.
FEES.
faos are not onarous