Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-17
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING FUND.
Week Starts Off Well and Work Going
On.

With thirteen days remaining in the cam
vass to raise the amount necessary to make
available the $4,000 gift of Messrs. Wood
ward * Lothrop. conditioned on the raising
of the balance of the SS5, 600 for the build
ing and furnishing fund of the Young Mems
Christian Association, began today with
anything but unlucky omens Headquar-
tiers of the canvassing committees. on 18th
street opposite the Treasury, were visited
by several gentlemen on their way down
town in order that contributions might be
left, and there it was that the morning
mail was opened that lent much encour
agpment to the almost insurmountable task
of raising something like $4,000 in two
weeks.
Among the first letters to be opened were
two from New York. One of the most loyal
supporters the Y. M c.. A. ever had in any
city was William E. Dodge of New York.
The accounts of the efforts of men, young
and old and women to complete the build
ing and furnishing fund of the association
here have reached to New oYrk, and in the
letters the two children of the late Mr..
Dodge had sent $500 for the cause. Mr..
Cleveland II. Dodge and Miss Grace Dodge
were the contributors. The letters accom-
panying the gifts were encouraging but re-
membering the epigrain Secretary Shaw
used early In the campaign. Money talks
the $1,000 was the loudest testimonial of
their interest in the work
The mornings mail brought another pic
tuFe. A PLAIN envelope, with the address In
scribed in a trembling, feminine hand, when
opened was found to contain a dollar bill.
Wrapped around the money was piece Of
pdper-not luxurious note paper-and ore1ts
was written: THE widows mite" In an
other envelope some had sent 81. Il
regret that / cannot send more. but this is
as much as l feel that l can afford to give,
and l must not let the opportunity pass to
give something" said the writer.
The small gifts have Inspired the workers
at headquarters with more enthusiasm than
many of the larger gifts In this they see
that the work is close to the interests of the
masses and to those who are not able to
cure by paying larger sums the privileges
made possible by the erection and equip
ment of a magnificent Y. NJ. G. A building.
BY the many small contributions. the COM
mittees consider. is shown the acceptance
a truly popular building. Each contribution
is regarded showing the proportion of the
gift to the donors possessions.
Among the most ardent workers in the
field is Mr.. A. Lisner. This morning he in
formed the headquarters that he had $3.50
pledged which he would turn In during the
day. Mr.. Lisner says he will devote the en-
tire week TO the canvass. He is member
OF the citizens committee of one hundred,
and has announced to the board of directors
that he intends to raise $4,000 during the
next two weeks for the fund.
Encouraging action was taken in large
number of churches yesterday in regard to
the furnishing of rooms. The Christian En-
deavor Society of the First Presbyterian
Church and the Kings Daughters of the
First Baptist Church notified headquarters
today that they desired to furnish room
each