The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-07
CITY MISSION
OF RICHMOND
Grand Work Done by the Good
Ladies,
CITIZENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
The Poor of the City FIND in these
Two Organizations a Source of
Much Comfort-How the
Work is Done.
CITIZENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

At this season OF the year anil esre-
cialIy during this, severe cold snap. tho
| mind OF the citizen OF Richmond and those
VINO are interested in the welfare Of the
poor of the city. naturally turns TO the
City Mission and the work by these bene-
VIOLENT ladies in behalf of the destitute,
during the past years. and the prospect
for the work of this charity for tho
coming winter.
For the last twenty years the Rich
mony City Mission has been at work IN
| all sections of the city relieving the suf-
feringS of those who are Sd situated tha'
!! they are unable to obtain for themselves
the necessities Of life and to support
themselves ard families. This nrganizt-
ton is composed entirely of women, %h1
without pay or salary. or abundant funds,
have steaaily iaporet tar as thsir
means have gone to feed rhe hungry and
clothe the naked of the city.
!; VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
The city is divided into districts over
! which is placed one or sometimes two
ladies', who have charge OF all the none
and supplies which are distributed IN
these sections. These ladies are out al
most aaily on their work OF charity, ,oo~-
ing into The condition OF such persons
make application fo- assistance and aid
and seeing that the mission is rot I'M
posed upon by persons who would take
| advantage of the work and also seeing
that such persons as need assistance re-
. ce!ve it.
No section of the city. however danger,
Gus or dfsreputable is overlook. for it
is generally in these localities that tie
most AFFECT poverty and suffering Is to
&c IctiEL
The Mission gives out to the poor all
kinds of necessities such food, cloth
il!.;; fuel, etc, and when medicine or
medical aid Is found to be needed. the
ladies' see that the necessary articles and
attention is ha&
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.
Ever since its organization, the Mission
has depended entirely upon voluntary
contributions for it's support and no en-
tertainments or private solicitations for
aid have ever been made. Only an coca
5ionai appeal for funds has been made
through the columns of the daily papers
when the Mission has been compelled TO
do so. Ii
For the last few years the financial con-
dition of the Mission has not been
prosperous as IN the years previous and
the donation to this noble charity have
been none too great, but in spite OF this
and many other discouragfng1 features, the
ladies have continued steadfast at the
post OF duty and endeayored TO do what
they could
During the heavy SHOWS of last winter
when there was so much untold suffe-
Ing in the cities, the ladies' were unable TO
go their rounds In their work on account
of block in traffic and the blockading or
the streets.
RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
At this point OF extremity. when the
Citv Mission know what do
lieve the excessive suffering, help came
to them in several young men OF the Gill
zen's Relief Association, which had re-
Gently been organized, who in spite Of the
driving snow and freezing wind. travelled
all day and part OF the night, helping
the poor and assisting in every way TO
relieve the terrible situation.
Since then the two organizations have
almost gone hand in hand. although there
rs no direct connection between them
other than-a common cause.
The Citizens Relief Association has
regular organized methods by which they
raise the funds necessary to the carryins
on OF the work, while the City Mission
rested entirely on voluntary donation.
LONG IN THE WORK
While the financial part OF the work can
best be done by the Association. yet tho
City Mission can much better direct tho
giving out of supplies and furnishing aid
from the fact that they have been long
in the work and know their territory
thoroughly, where ard who tbs suffering
poor are.
TIE visitors have heretofore been re-
euireG to give IN a monthly report to the
president. which office has been o~cu-
pied by Mrs. A. 7. Stokes since the MIS-
sion's organization. stating the names OF
such persons given assistance and thu
amount of fund and supplies given out
These were soread upon the books OF the
secretary, which were always open to tbs
inspection OF the public.
TIL Citizens Relief Association now re-
quests the ladies' to fill out card. which
will be furnished by them. stating the
name. condition and al! other desired In
formation. for every person helped and
to forward the same to the secretary OF
the Association. so that perfect system
OF charities may be secured.
STIPULATED DONATION.
The Association proposes to make a
stipulated donation to the work monthly
and In this way carry on the work.
When the Mission was opened this year
the total amount in the treasury was Six
dollars. but the ladies' were not dismayed
but went earnestly to work and the treas
urv has never been empty although the
supply room has never been fun as hereto
fore on account of the steady demand upor
the Missions funds. The ladies' hope
with the aid which will be given them
and the help OF the Citizens Relief Asso-
citation to be able TO carry on their WORK
more extensively during the coming ysa<.
The Christmas Dramatic Mirror In trs
new combination with the regular weekly
Mirror. has made an immense success
THE issue is not only conceded to DO
remarkable product at the prfce-corn-
nietely casting into TIE Shade all other aolt
day publications that are sold at % cents
but, Judging from the eonssasulasory
iefters ard the press comments The MIR
"a g.. 49, ~ .A<GtA