The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-15

check be used to give pleasure to n few
aged women-an order | was delighted TO
carry out. Down here we have been guilty
even OF buying a canary bird to give to a
poor woman at Christmas.
As a rule. however. senders Of checks
leave the spending Of the money to our dis
erection STIMULATING only that il shall GO
for Christmas presents. Last year children
in 500 homes got presents Of toys or books
from US at a cost Of about $500 and about
5000 more was spent in providing 1000
special dinners and for coal, clothing and
paying arrears Of rent, the district visitors
taking the greatest pains To fit the present
to the particular need Of each family.
We hope to get 81. 500 to meet our Christ
mas demands this year, and although that
amount is not in sight yet I have consider
able faith lin the publio's generosity"
The method OF this society Is to deliver
homes. The same plan rs followed by the
Charity Organization Society, whose man
ager says that every day in the year is
Christmas with them.
Under no circumstances il the general
fund used Tor special Christmas benevo-
lences. but in each Of the ten district head
quarters maintained by the society gifts of
money and toys are received every year
for distribution among needy families and
also at the main headquarters in the United
Charities Building. Unless particularly
asked to furnish basket dinners this society
ekpends the Christmas money for other
things.
Last year a patron asked hat 1000 baskets
OF provisions be sent to as many poor
families at his expense, and il was dOne
in this fashion: A list Of names and ad-
dresses was obtained from the ten district
superintendent and was turned owe 20
a department Store which deals in produce,
with orders to fill the baskets asspecified
and deliver them to the recipients the day
before Christmas.
The same thing may be repeated this
year, said Mr.. Persons at headquarters,
but so far an order TO that effect has
not come in. But in any cnse. he said,
TINT at least 1900 families would receive
"a Christmas present of some sort through
the medium Of the society and that none
in It's care would go hungry.
At the Salvation Army headquarters
preparations are being made to send Christ
mas cheer to at least 20 900 persons by
means of basket dinners, toys and clothing.
For many weeks the cadets Of the Army
nave been climbing stairs, sorting children
and giving out tickets which shall insure
20 girls and boys the kind of toy most suit
able. Small boys will have a ticket of one
color. larger boys of another color. Small
girls and larger girls will have tickets of
different color and each ticket will be
exchanged for a toy which wen at whole
sale costs from Is cents TO 81.
These will be distributed from seven
centres, each gay with a wonderful Christ
mas tree. under the supervision Of the COM
mander, who will appear on schedule time,
beginning nc , p. M. at 126th street and
Lexington q and winding up at the
Headquarters In West Fourteenth street
al 1:9O p. M.
The biggest feature Of the day will be
the distribution in tho morning OF 5000
baskets, each containing an abundant
dinner for FIVE parsons, from the old Sixty
Manhattan. and from Brooklyn 1 Citadel,
Brooklyn.
The Salvation Army will also have a
spread or two for the homeless.