Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1906-02-23
THE SUNSHINE SOCIETY.
An Organization Which Brings Good
Cheer Into Darkened Hearts.

ln00H
Cheer Into Darkened Hearts.
Among the many societies organ
lied by the generous men and women
OF to-day for the welfare and happi-
ness of others none has quite SO inter.
esting a history and unique a charac-
ter as the International Sunshine SO.
ciety.
1t Is SO broad in its scope that It
embraces all the charities, yet is In
itself no sense charity, but an inter-
change Of kindly greeting and the
passing on of good cheer, material or
otherwise. Sunshiners do not labor
under any rules, but there is always
the personal touch of sympathy which
means 30 much to the unfortunate
man or woman to whom fate has
seemed unkind.
A more appropriate name could not
have been found for the society, the
members of which pledge themselves to
bring sunshine into the lives OF
others; to do something each day to
tighten someone's burden, TO SPEAK
the cheerful word that may bring new
hope, new life and energy; to take mo-
tice of the lonely; to do the little acto
lof kindness, thoughtfulness and
generosity that manifest the human,
sympathetic interest in ones fellow
creatures.
j Opportunities for doing kindness
J are often lost for lack Of thought; the
J members of the Sunshine Society
strive to cultivate the habit Of SYM
pathy that will give them a keener
: grasp and deeper understanding OF
: the lives Of those around them.
The Society Is unique in that there
are no salaries paid. The presidents
general, every minor officer and MEM
Der gives his or her services. Even
the necessary clerical work is freely
donated. The personal sacrifices that
, every officer and member makes to
carry on the work cannot be estimated.
Its Origin and Growth.
( The Society was incorporated under
4 the laws of New York in 1900 and to-
T day there are 100000 enrolled mem
: bers.
Q The Society is the outgrowth OF q
thought expressed by Mrs. Cynthia
i Westover Alden in the Office OF the
s New York Recorder several years ago
g during the holiday season. Mrs. Alden
s was the recipient Of a number OF cards
; from her co-workers on the paper as
q well as outside friends. After enjoy
. ing the cards, she protested that she
would have been better pleased II the
d donors had not written their names OF
d them. This statement Mortified hel
n audience and with one accord every
y one exclaimed.
= what! You wouldn't give our pres
y ents away, would your"
"Why not?" was the answer
what do you do with yours?"
0, A laughing investigation soon devel
s. oped the fact that the waste baske
n was the ultimate destination OF mos
n Of the cards received.
1t Let me give you the history Of on
1t pretty ten-cent card that came to M
1t a year ago." said Mrs. Alden. "It ha,
a an exquisite poem on it, and enjoye'
e. it so much that l thought at once
o. an old uncle who would appreciate
. and forwarded 1t to him. He, as
= thought, did enjoy 1t, and so mucl
~ so that he Immediately recalled an oil
~ friend to whom it would appeal wit
special force. So he copied the poer
q, and sent the card on. This recipien
:. found the card SO helpful that sh'
~ too, felt called upon to pass 1t on an
~ before the seven days holiday wa
- over the card had carried its Chris
:. mas message to six different person.
~ OF course this is exceptional, but
"a still an example of the infinite poss
of bilities of a gift accepted in the tru
re spirit and then passed on, giving eac
Sc one the double delight Of receiving an
Us giving"
re The cards which had afforded I'll
lie little sermon were spread out and wer