The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24

Seven hundred poor families of Wash
ington viii be made happy to-day Seven
hundred baskets of food are TO be dis
tributed by Almas Temple Mobiles of the
Mystic Shrine The National Rifles
Armory will be the scene Of the presenta-
ton of the Christmas gifts 10 the needy.
This is an annual event in the circles
OF the Mystic Shrine and originated
ten years ago. The money is raised dur
ing the summer months by an excursion.
The provisions this year cost more than
S1.lo0 at wholesale
This afternoon an immense Christmas
tree. with a real Santa Claus. and deco
rated with candy and toys, viii be pro
vided for the poor children Of the city
on the first floor of the armory. Noble
Charles Jacobsen contributed the tree and
adOrnments and has had charge OF COM
plotting arrangements for the festivities.
Noble John A Ellinger, in full Santa
Claus costume, viii make hundreds of lit
tie hearts glad by the distribution of lux
ur;es.
Thirty members of the Mystic Shrine
assisted by a force of workmen were en-
gagged yesterday in filling the baskets for
the deserving people. The entire lower
floor of the armory was covered, when the
task had been completed late I'm the day.
with hundreds of large baskets, each
loaded to its capacity and carefully ar
ranged At retail prices each gift is
worth nearly So.
Grand Assortment of Food.
Each basket contains an eight-pound
ham. In the bottom is a half-peck Of
potatoes. In addition each gift con-
sists of one pound of coffee, similar
amount OF rice. beans, sugar, hominy.
canned tomatoes. corn, and sack of
-four All of the provisions are of the
best to be had in the market.
Each family to receive one of these
Christmas presents from the Mystic Shrine
members must have a card. Members of
the order are allowed TO send the names
of poor families to the chairman Of the
committee having the food distribution
in hand. These cards are alphabetically
arranged. and where repetition occurs IN
the names all but one are omitted.
The distribution of these baskets and
their contents viii begin this morning AZ
the committee several colored men will
assist In passing out the Christmas food.
Each applicant which in most cases is a
woman will be provided with street car
tickets. After receiving the supplies the
basket will be carried to the car by one
Of the workmen.
viii Make 700 Families Happy
Every one of the 100 baskets of food
viii be taken to a little home in different
parts of the city, where a whole family
will be made happy. Little hearts and
large hearts alike viii beat as only those
hearts do when something Is given that IS
wanted and needed. Seven hundred fami-
lies where Christmas was looked forward
10 with regret viii join in the festivities
of a real Christmas dinner and enjoy
themselves as other people on Christmas
The committee having the preparation
and distribution Of these 700 gifts for the
poor is composed OF the following mem
bers. ". c. Long, chairman; !. S. Jones
II. S. Merrill. J. c. KEEPER, Allen Bussius
John A. EllingeT. Henry L. Costing, Loui,
A Dent, Sidney r. Jacobs, William H
Franklin, BERT II. Brockway, Harry o.
Bailey. Charles Jacobsen. and VIII 4
Haley.
In the event that any baskets are left
over they will be distributed to other de-
serving families who may apply for as
sistance.