Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1909-05-11
FORM NEEDLECRAFT GUILD
Women of Dallas Organize Local
Branch of Famous Charitable
Institution.

''If only little bridge could be
thrown from the Island Of Waste to
the Island OF Want, how both would
benefit" said Lady Wolverton, when
confronted by the pressing need OF
certain charity. But not content with
the framing of her aphorism, she pro-
ceeded at once to build the bridge Of
Needlework, This was 10 1858, at Dor
setshire. England, and since that
time, many OF these structures have
united waste and want, with great and
inspiring results. Lady Wolverton
showed marked genius in organizing
her Society, by making its machinery
of such beautiful simplicity that 1t
could be burden to no one; and the
condition of membership, only two
new useful articles of clothing a year,
was so small demand that the Society
became popular Immediately. The
elements of popularity and steady
growth were in it's very structure-no
caste, no sect, no hampering pre-
judices.
The American Guild, modelled in
part after the Society in England, was
founded in 1885 at Philadelphia, and
received perpetual charter in June,
1896. From this beginning have
) sprung numerous branches. Each
branch controls the distribution OF the
garments it collects. They may be
given to the needy of the town, or tc
the charities of the nearest great city
There is hardly city or town in oul
land where such an organization
} would not be power for good. 1t viii
not supplant or in any way interfere
I with the work of any other society
] but it is so designed that it may in
8 clude and stimulate the large numbe'
I In every community who do no sys
tematic work.
8 The object is to collect and distribute
9 new, plain, suitable garments. to NEE
+ the great need of Hospitals, Home
r and other Charities, and to extend 1t
: usefulness by the organization @
9 Branches.
u The plan OF work is very simple
y The annual contribution of two c
y more new articles Of wearing appar'
ID or household linen, or donation
zt money constitutes membership in
branch Men, women and childre
mey become members.
An enthusiastic meeting was he
Ie Friday afternoon for the purpose
as establishing in this city a branch
n. the Needlework Guild OF Amerlc
rs The following officers were electe'
he Mrs. George 7. Gerlinger, presiden
tv Mrs. s. B. Taylor and Mrs. B. Case
or vice presidents; Mrs. H. Q. Eaki
ch treasurer Mrs. W. V. Fuller, seci
nj tary Mrs. Louis Gerlinger, Jr., MI
ar Bowers, Mrs. E. H. Hibbard. MI
va s. T. Donohoe, Mrs. Oscar Hayt'
H. Miss Emma Dempsey, Mrs. W.
Kaerth, together with the officers q
directors. 1t is the duty OF ca
director to secure ten new membt
- who will each give two new garner
" year and one member who gi'
cash, amount not specified. The ca
ce' contributions go toward defrayi
er' small local needs, and part each "
will be sent to National headquart
. to carry on the extension OF the We
II through periodicals. leaflets, ETC.
The two vice-presidents will arrar
for the meeting to be held the secc
week in June. By that time 1t
hoped fully hundred new memo
will be secured. The annual meet
occurs in October when all garme
and cash will be collected by
directors and distributed by them
occasion demands.