Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
FOR LITTLE ONES AID
WORK OF THE LOCAL CHRIST
CHILD SOCIETY.
"Christmas" Every Day in Some Home
or Another-Work Of
the Season.

| most interesting places in Washington for
the past week from a juvenile point of view.
| The two lower rooms were filled with
| Christmas gifts for over 500 poor children
Yesterday morning these articles. ranging
/ In size and value from small doll TO a
| large wagon, were sent to the members of
| the society scattered all over the city,
whose pleasant duty it will be tomorrow to
take each present to its owner by nightfall
| The Christ Child Society was organized
| nearly fifteen years ago, and from modest
beginning the supplying of necessary cloth
| ing to infants of poor families has now
| headquarters and five branches-St. Ga
! briefs in the north, Holy Trinity in George
| town, st. Vincent de PauPs branch in the
| southeast and an Italian branch, st. Fran
| els of Assist, lately opened in Carroll In
| stitute.
| The second feature of the work is the
| Christmas gift to every child who has made
| application, and as far as possible giving
| the article asked for. The letters are dis
trfbuted among the members of the So
| ciety who fill the request and afterward
| send the present to the happy youngster.
| This coming in contact with the recipients
| of its Christmas bounty showed some years
| ago the necessity of other and perhaps
| more practical help. and the establishment
| o. various branches where sewing. library
| and singing classes, boys and girls clubs,
| and life of Christ classes. when lectures
| are supplemented Win pictures, nave peeil
J the outcome. These branches all said
| to be flourishing and have already been
| the production of great good to the needy
| and destitute.
| The relief committee made and dstrib-
| uted last year 2, 12S garments, clothing 135
| children from two to twelve years old and
| % infants The fresh air work enabled 81
| delicate or cOnvaleScent children to spend
| two weeks each in the country last sum-
| mer. Two hundred and thirty children at
| tend the sewing classes where they are
| taught to make clothes for themselves or
| for other little ones in their homes Many
| of the early pupils of these classes are
now employed by dressmakers and making
| their own living.
Two Complete Libraries.
| The society has two complete libraries,
| and has third forming, and every six
| months their location is changed to an
| other branch in order to give the children
| change. The boys clubs are formed to
| teach self-government, and the pleasant
| means of games, music and the privilege
| of the library and reading room are en-
| ployed. The girls clubs are for instruction
in millinery, stenography and shirt-waist
making, and, when, possible, dressmaking
and cooking schools will be started.
Altogether the aims of the society are not
only admirable and continue the Christmas
spirit the year round, but are Sensibly and
practically carried out with good system
Der. The managers say they would be
thankful for money, books or anything else
that appeals to the needs Of children. Its
headquarters and branches are always open,
and its work goes on without a break from
day to day, and makes a valuable link in
the settlement work so successfully inaug-
urated in this city of late years.
The officers of the Christ Child Society
are: Miss Mary V. Merrick, president, the
Decatur; Mrs. Heaton, vice president, 1880
10th street; Miss Pauline A. Burr, I'LL Lin
coin avenue, second vice president, and
Miss Rosa Virginia Sands, 1903 Connecticut
avenue, secretary and treasurer, to whom
names for enrolment and donations may
be sent.
Some of the letters received making re-
quests for Xmas follow:
Dear Santa Claus: AS I have a few
spare moments 1 thought / would write
you these few lines to let you know that l
am little girl, and would like to have a
doll and go-cart for Christmas, and l am
four years old. am your true and loving
little girl"
WASHINGTON, D. c., December Z, 1904.
Dear Santa Claus: AS 1 just thought of
you, 1 thought 1 would drop you these few
lines to let you know that / am little
boy of seven years, and L would be thank
full for you to send me a pair of boots for
Christmas. / am your true little friend"
Dear Christ Child: AS the glorious
Christmas time is near, and all the ones
wants toys and mamma cannot get them
any l thought 1 would ask you to send
something.
1.-THE baby Thomas who is two years old
and he don't know what he wants you can
send him what you think best. And Paul
who is three years old says he wants
drum And Lillian who is seven said she
was like a doll If you could send her one.
And | am the Oldest am ten Dear Christ
Child all 1 want is for you to please send
mamma work, and we would all be so
happy for you know what is best for u.s."