New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-10
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Mrs. Booths Plea for the Families
of Mem an Prison.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir; For several years 1 have had the privilege
OF appealing through your columns on behalf Of
our Christmas fund for helping the destitute
wives and children of men in prison. In speaking
once more OF this need have the assurance that
the message will reach many whose interest Is al
ready deeply aroused and who will be glad to hear
or the success of last winters mission in
these poor homes.
AS the Christmas season approaches it becomes
the ever Frightening centre of joyous expectation
to the little in happy homes. 10 whom
Chrsts birthday is the very height Of festivity.
bringing home reunions. joyous parties. pleasures
and gifts. Yet to many throughout our country IL
holds forth not only promise of good things to
be looked forward to. but appears an even darker
and drearier day than most. because of the con-
trast in their poor homes 10 the festive prepaTa-
lions seen every hand.
The Volunteers will in many cities dine the
hungry in their halls. send baskets OF food 10 the
poor tenements and plan treats for the children.
but this special fund for which I appeal Is TO
meet the need that only be reached in a
more personal manner. In the Volunteer Prison
League Department are in touch with hun
dreds of those whose husbands and fathers have
come under our Influence in prison. Through these
men we have been introduced to their families.
and they turn to In their hour Of dire need as
personal friends. We strive far possible to
take Christmas into each home and yet TO make
the Christmas help such will last for many
day afterward. We find in many instances that
the mother by her toll can only Just keep the
rent paid and provide a meagre supply OF food for
her little ones. Were it not for the help we give
In clothing these children, they would In many in
stances be unable TO go to school Our Christmas
gifts not intended to gladden. the day only but
practically to lift the burden that shadows the
morrow. We have lists made out from our books
which enable to know the age sex and. as far
possible. the size OF each child. We give TO
these little ones warm. serviceable clothing. two
pairs OF stockings and often shoes. Some article
OF clothing is added for the mother We provide
groceries, a chicken turkey and money for fuel
and vegetables. From our friends we have re-
ceived dolls and toys to on to these little Ones
and also I'LL the Santa Claus stockings with
good things.
Last year went myself through the downtown
tenement district on the wagon to distribute the
parcels to many Of these families. I not only
the dire need and poverty, but the heart touching
gratitude and appreciation of these brave. strug-
tenement Tn, up, up we Climbed with the mar
row winding Of the crooked stairs. to be met the
and forlorn that one might have expected a woe
aSs to eeP G the snd 6 h e O@t o
Was smiling raPturousy for he was welcoming mig
room under the caves 1t was hardly bigger than
a prison cell. Under chair, In the corner. amid
clothed in one thin little garment. There was no
@ tt f9fa s sge d to sal f b
found Inquiry that it was folded against the
and children would have had no room to move
around When first found by US. this woman was
living in damp cellar. and the youngest child was
then tiny babe They were starving. Their
condition certainly better this year. and that
could be said Of almost all the families whom We
had previously helped. but the Christmas gifts were
still sorely needed.
! Another family that went to seek We failed
to find. for that Christmas Eve they had been
dispoSsessed, and IT not until some days after
ward that could trace them and give them
| their Christmas gifts. Early this summer the
| father came home and found for him position.
| He has done well and worked steadily ever since.
and this Christmas, with his wife and little girls,
| he is settled in comfortable home. and will be
| able to insure for them happy day.
/ Whatever the world may feel concerning the men
I In prison. for whom j work all with any pity or
compassion must entertain the deepest sympathy
I for these innocent sufferers.
/ May l appeal to the readers of this paper TO
help with gifts OF money, clothing. groceries
toys? Anything and everything will be accept
able All such donations should be addressed to
Mrs. Darlington Booth. Volunteers OF America. No.
IS Cooper Square. New-York City. Please inclose
name and address OF donor that our treasurer may
send official receipt for the money received, and
that we may be enabled to let all those who par
ticipate in helping know through the columns
OF "The Volunteer Gazette what have done at
this season and how their gifts have been passed
on to the needy.
At this Of all may Il not be truly said
by the One whose birthday commemorate In
asmuch as We did unto OF the least of these
my brethren We have done it unto me-? Very
truly yours MAUD b BOOTH
Nrartr nGN