The La Jara chronicle., 1906-03-02
THE SUNSHINE SOCIETY.
An Organization Which Brings Gooes
Cheer Into Darkened Hearts.

Among the many societies organ
lzed by the generous men and women
OIL to-day for the welfare and happi-
ness OF others none has quite so inter-
estlng a history and unique a charac-
ter as the International Sunshine So
ciety.
1t is so broad in its scope that 1t
embraces all the charities, yet is in
itself no sense charity, but an inter-
change of kindly greeting ard 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 so 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 "haarful word that may bring new
hope, new life and energy; to take no.
tice of the lonely; to do the little acts
of kindness, thoughtfulness and
generosity that manifest the human,
sympathetic interest in ones fellow
creatures.
Opportunities for doing kindness
are often lost for lack of thought; the
members of the Sunshine Society
strive to cultivate the habit of SYM
pathy that will give them a keener
grasp and a deeper understanding of
the lives Of those around them.
The Society is unique in that there
are no salaries paid. The president
general, every minor officer and men,
ber 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
the laws of New York in 1900 and to-
day there are 100000 enrolled mem
bers.
The Society is the outgrowth of
thought expressed by Mrs. Cynthia
Westover Alden in the Office of the
New York Recorder several years ago
during the holiday season. Mrs. Alden
was the recipient of number OF cards
from her co-workers on the paper as
we'll as outside friends. After enjoy
ing the cards, size protested that she
would have been better pleased If tho
donors had not written their names on
them. This statement Mortified her
audience and with one accord every
one exclaimed:
What! You wouldn't give our pres
ents away, would you?"
why not?" was the answer.
What do you do with yours?"
A laughing investigation soon devel-
oped the fact that the waste basket
was the ultimate destination of most
of the cards received.
Let me give you the history of one
pretty ten-cent card that came to me
year ago." said Mrs. Alden. ut had
an exquisite poem on it, and 1 enjoyed
it so much that l thought at once OF
an old uncle who would appreciate 1t
and forwarded it to him. He, as
thought, did enjoy it, and so much
so that he Immediately recalled an old
| friend to whom it would appeal with
special force. So he copied the poem
and sent the card on. This recipient
found the card SO helpful that she,
too, felt called upon to pass it on and
before the seven days holiday was
over the card had carried its Christ
mas message to six different persons.
OF course this is exceptional, but is
still an example of the infinite posi-
bilities of gift accepted in the true
spirit and then passed on, giving each
one the double delight of receiving and
giving"
The cards which had afforded the
little sermon were spread out and We're