St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-06-26
BurlingtOn's Y. M. c. A. Canvass.

Our readers will be especially interested
in the recent successful campaign in Bur
lington where $50, 900 was raised in less
than three weeks for the local Y. M. c. A.
The canvass had been anticipated for a
year and was in charge of w. A. Bowen,
the campaign secretary, who is working
under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Y. M. c. A.
The city has building erected some
20 years ago which with the lot is
valued at $125,O00. 1t is in a slightly
location, but needed many changes to
adapt it to the present methods of the
work. Money was needed to .build
rooms for the boys department, bowl
ing alleys, additional shower baths and
lockers. 1t was also desirable to raise
the mortgage of $4,000. So the prob
lem was to raise enough money to pay
off the mortgage and have $4,000 for
remodelling the building. Former
Mayor Van Patten started the ball roll
ing by subscribing $4,000 provided the
first public mention of this campaign
was at the state convention in May,
though nothing was done until June Is
in the actual work of raising the money.
Two weeks were spent in organizing for
the work and the campaign opened May
%. An executive committee OF eight
headed the movement and a citizens COM
mittee of 100 was secured who canvassed
among the larger prospective givers. A
young mems business committee of 60
was formed to work among those who
would give smaller amounts. This
group of 65 was divided into eight teams
of eight men each.
During the campaign lunch was served
every evening at 6.15 for the members of
the various committees and reports
given each night of the progress of the
campaign. large clock nine feet in
diameter on the front of the Y. NJ. c. A.
building indicated to the public the pro-
gress Of the campaign and both the Bur
lington daiies gave generously of their
space to the cause. Each day from $1,000
to $4,000 was raised and reported at the
evening lunch, and on only two or three
UdVS ulu lilt COIlll lDullOuo ian pSiON
$1,000. The pastors of the churches
entered heartily into the work and adver-
tised the campaign at their Sunday
services. The Ladies Auxiliary contri-
buted $500 and added $500 more the
last evening.
The campaign was known as the 20
day campaign and closed June 10. W..
B. Howe, business manager OF the Free
Press, was the chairman of the citizens
committee and presided at the evening
meetings, not missing a single gathering.
A Young mems committee was formed
one week before the close OF the cam
paign, and raised from 500 to $500
daily among the young men. A boys
committee of five raised $3.50 among the
bows connected with the boys depart
ment. On the 10th day the committees
reported $21 900 lacking, Mr.. Van
Patten added $4,000 more, making
$4,000 as his gift, and the last day
nearly $4,000 was subscribed. The
last day was full of hard work and sue
cessfuI results. In the closing hours
number of large subscriptions were re-
ceived by telephone and the campaign
closed with $4,000 raised.
Nearly 70 communities in the United
States and Canada have accomplished
similar results in this novel method and
the CALIFORNIAN believes that any Yer
mont community could do likewise.