The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-18
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN THE AIR AND JOY
 IN EAGER HEARTS Elaborate Plans for Making Every Child In Birmingham
 Happy Next Week ELkS WILL SPEND $1OOO ON BIC CHRISTMAS TREE Salvation Army Will Distribute Provi- 'sions To Scores of Homes-Santa Claus Going To the
 Mercy Home.

Just one week until Christmas! De- months it seems that the poor children will have merrier Christmas than ever. Their little, eager faces, some of them pinched with cold, will have cause to beam out over the rags, and the cramped bare legs will flush warm, and leap for joy, for the Christmas spirit of love is preparing for them everyone. All of the institutions of the city are making an unusual effort to make this Christmas brighter star than has ap- peared in many moons. Recognizing the peculiar destituton at this time, they are redoubling their efforts, and preparing numerous surprises. Among these insti- tutions, the Salvation Army and the Elks are perhaps doing the greatest work.
 Eks Will Have Big Tree.
 The Elks are going to spend 5000 for the poor children. The usual number of gifts will be distributed by Santa Claus, and a beautiful Christmas tree is be- ing prepared at the Elks home, corner of Eighth avenue and Nineteenth street. Already the nuts, fruits, toys, wagons and others things have been purchased. The object is to provide for 600 children, from all over the district. An investiga- ton committee sees that the tickers get into the hands of only deserving poor, and they are going out into the suburbs, where Santa Claus may not get time to go, and bring all the poor children to- gether for his convenience. All the poor children whose parents are unable to take care of them on Christmas, who have made application for tickets, but have not received them, are expected next Monday at the office of the inves tigation committees chairman. c. w. Frickhoeffer, 21l7 First avenue.
 The committee which is pushing the Elks' tree so vigorously is composed of J. E. Shelby, chairman; Bradley Brown. secretary; Archer Miller, treasurer; E. J. McCrossn J. P. Wiley. F. F. Harms, c. w Frickheffer, R. NJ. Wheeler, George B. Ward. B. H. Cooper, John T. Glover. Dr. Percy Nixon and L. N. Archer. They have invited the children at the Mercy Home and the orhpans' home at East Lake. and are issuing tickets every day.
 Plans of Salvation Army.
 The Salvation Army, led by Ensign Logan is going still further in its effort to help the poor and suffering. Recog nizing the unusual want, the army has abandoned the dinner in the hall, and is intent upon furnishing good substantial stuff to the heads of families. Istead of fancy edibles the army has arranged with certain merchants to buy such things as pork, ham, potatoes, little bags of flour
 
 recipients will cook themselves and thus appreciate the more. This system will make the money go long way. and since $500 has already been collected in special bank fund for the purpose, material aId will be given when the baskets are dis tributed Christmas Eve. The kettles are still on the corners and Christmas joy Of some child's heart is swelled with the ring of each coin as it drops.
 The army is appealing to the ladies for the old toys cast away by the children from lost year, which would give so muc1 pleasune to the poor one. On New Years day. when the army can pick out the disappointed ones, Christmas tree will be given at the army hall, and those toys distributed Tickets for the Christmas din ner are being given daily. Many old persons, who cannot attend, will be furn- ished by the workers.
 Big Time at Mercy Home.
 A truly delightful time will beogiven the children at the Mercy Home. AL ready they have more invitations for Christmas trees than they can fill and be- sides the ladies of the board of governors are preparing for Santa Claus to enter the home itself, with big tree, and many presents. This work is in charge of Mrs. Jeffres and Mrs. Murdock of the nursery and Mrs. Alex T. London and Mrs. James Weisel of the dpomitory.
 The board would be delighted with out side presents, as they hope to remember every inmate. The w. c. T. U will furnish the gifts for the adults, and ev- cry child, including the 10 babies who are now living at the home. will be given jolly time. Not the least part of that days festivities will be their Christ mas dinner.
 At the Alabama Industrial school the boys will give a Christmas entertainment including a minstrel show, musis by the orchestra, Christmas tree, and the dis tribution of presents. All over the dis trict the jingle of the sleigh bells rings above the breeze.