The Washington times., 1901-12-26
YulGtide Charity Dispensed
as Never Before.
MANY HOMES MADE HAPPY.
Thousands of Baskets OF Food Dis
tributed to Poor Families Meals
Served to the Homeless Pres
ents for the Little Folks Holiday
at the Jail and Reform Schools.

fore for the remembrance of the poor
Not single family whose destitu;ion coult
be ascertain,d was without dinner OF
this pre-eminent religious festival.
NuIetidc Cheer for the Poor.
Thousands of baskets containing food
were distributed at as many homes OF
needy families. Dinner was served at all
OF the missions to homeless ones. And tn,
children were remembered with candy ant
eatables and more substantial gifts, and
Yuletide festival made many of them ac
queinted with Santa Claus
II is estimated that good cheer wa,
brought TO the homes Of at least 750 desti-
tute families of the District as the result
OF the indefatigable efforts of the officers
of the Associated Charities. which extend
back a number of weeks prior to the ad.
vent of the natal day.
Extensive Christmns Charity.
The work done this Christmas by the
Associated Charities" said Nr. Weller
TO Times reporter. was much more eX-
tensive than in previous years. This is
due to the fact that it involved a great
deal more thorough and careful work than
has been undertaken in the past. Tie
work also was begun long enough in ad-
vance to see that everything was done
wisely and well. BY thus taking time by
the forelock al, OF the District agents had
ample opportunity to go over their lists
and see that every family visited during
the year was provided for on Christmas
Day.
Another prominent factor that entered
into the carrying on of the work on a
Ners extensive scale was the number of
churches, Sunday school classes. schools.
and individuals who expressed a willing
ness TO do something direct for one or
more poor families. We gave out hun
dreds of addresses of worthy poor, and
these channels of charity dispensation
made ample provision for those recon-
mended to them.
OSerconts for Destitute Bo,s.
The distribution by saks & Co. of 100
oyercoats involved a great deal OF work
on the part of the District agents of the
Associated Charities the first time we
have ever had the work. The recipients
OF the ove-coats were especially selected
by The District agents, and only the most
destitute bows were provided with tickets
for one OF the wooden ulsttrs which con
stituted the gift.
As regards the charity dispensed this
year being carried on upon larger scale
than in former years, it does not indicate
that there is any more poverty abroad in
the District. On the contrary. there is no
cause for the poverty being any greater
this year than in former years. The char
fly, however. was more general on ac-
count OF the increased desire on the part
of those chsritably inclined TO do some
thing to bring happiness to those less fvi-
tunate than themselves.
AS TO the plans OF the officers and
agents Of the Associated Charities for the
new year. We will continue along the
same old lines, but viii continue to er-
psnd he work. We claim TO be 10 the
poor what physician is to the sick and
We want TO place ourselves in a position
10 be Justly entitled 10 make such claim
shrinrrs Give Dinner and Presents.
One OF the principal charitable move
ments was that OF the Almas Temple,
Mystic ShriDers. Long before sunrise
yesterday morning twenty express
wagons were backed up al the rear door
OF the National Rifles ArmoTy ready 10
distribute Christmas dinners TO the needy.
in each OF the baskets were twenty
pounds Of -four. one pound OF coffee. one
hall pound OF tea. one quart OF beans,
two pounds of hOminy. one box OF Eng
lish plum pudding, a ham weighing from
six TO ten pounds. one peck OF turnips
and lear Of fresh bread
Besides the delivery made in The wagons
there we're a great many who presented
tickets at the hall and carried their din
ners away with them.
In the afternoon there was festival
ana concert for the children. At
O'Clock the little folks marched into the
hal, and took their places In The centre
o. the hall there were two large Christ
mas trees. On the two trees and around
them we're 1,S90 pairs ol stockings. or
each pair one was filled with candy and
tho other with nuts and raisins.
Each poor child attending got a pair OF
these stockings. When the stockings had
been exhausted. 1.500 boxes OF sweet
meats were distributed All the after
noon the armory rang with the ioytt
shouts OF the children, and oi Halcy's
band playing all kinds OF Iiitly music TO
add 10 theu happiness
Car Tickets Distributed.
The Washington Traction ADD Electric
Company contributed GEO car tickets, snd
the columbia Traction Company 800
tickets Tor those who needed trsnsporta-
tion.
Christmas az the Central Onion Mission
was ceiebratcd with services "a the audi
torilm ct 70 O'Clock yesterday morning.
Mr. . B. Brown. chairman of the board
Of directors presiding. Over q hundred
mcn from the streets attended the services !
After the service tiokc was given to
eycrs person who asked. which cniiflel /
him % boundful Christmas dinner.
salvation Army Charity.
Three hundred baskets OF oatables we're
given 20 thc needy Of Washington yestcr- /
day b. the Salvation Army. Thcre men
and women have been working for many !
days and nights to accomplish this WORK. 1
and yesterdu, they were rewarded by I
Knowing thai they had helped az least $50 |
persons
Al The Asylum and MorLhousr.
Christmas at the Washington asylum
and workhouse L. dismal and sombrc |
day bat the dinner which the inmates OF !
those t.ro places received yesterday was an |
improvement on the usual fare The din |
aer wlicb was served 10 the compulsory !
guests consisted OF roast turkey nnd cram /
berry sauce. roast pig. picked beets. |
sweet potatoes. boiled onions. celery. nsinee |
pie. mules. and oranges. Not . bad aim |
nel foI any man.
TIE Reform school Dinner.
A. the Reform School for Boys yesterday |
was gala day. TIE ceremonies ftsr.ed |