The daily tribune., 1906-03-02
THE SUNSHINE SOCIETY.
An Organization Which Brinps Coo<s
Cheer Into DaI kened hearts.

Cheer Into DaI kcned hearts.
Among the many societies organ.
ized by the generous men and women
OF to-day for the welfare and happi-
ness OF others none has quite 60 inter.
estlng history and unique q charac-
ter as the International Sunshine So
ciety.
1t is SO broad In its scope that Il
embraces all the charities. yet Is in
itself no sense q 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 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 cheerful word that may bring new
hope, new life and energy; to take mo-
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
arc often lost for lack Of thought: the
members Of the Sunshine Society
strive to cultivate the habit Of SYM
pathy that will give them . keener
grasp and deeper understanding Of
the lives of those around them.
The Society is unique in that there
are no salaries paid. Tho president
general, every minor ofilcer and me0-
ber gives his or her services. Even
tho necessary clerical work IL freely
donated. The personal sacrifices that
every ohscer 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
Westovsr Alden in the ofAce 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 -
we'll - outside friends. After enjoy
ing the cards. she protested that she
would have been better pleased II the
donors had not written their names on
them. This statement horriAod her
audience and with one accord every
ono exclaimed:
What! You wouldn't give our pres
ants aWay would vouf"
why not?" was the answee.
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-csnt card that came to me
year ago." said Mrs. Alden. ut had
an exquisite poer1 on It, and enjoyed
II 30 much that I thought at once OF
an old uncle who would appreciate II
and forwarded It to him. He. ~
thought, did enjoy II. and 70 much
30 that he Immediately recalled An Old
friead to whom 1t would appeal with
special force. 80 he copied the poer'
and sent the card on. THIS recipien.
found the card 80 helpful that she.
too. felt called upon TO pass II on and
before the seven days holiday was
over the card had carried its Chris.
mas message TO six Different psrsous.
OF course this II exceptional. but 4,
still An example Of the INFINITE possi.
biiities Of . gift accepted In the tire
spirit and thea passed on. giving each
one the double delight Of receiving and
giving"
The cards which haA Afforded d,
little sermen were spread out and wsrc