New-York tribune., 1909-07-09
HOW THE FUND WORKS
Much Labor Entailed an Sending
Children to the Country.

Considerable work is required for the organ
ization of every party sent out by the Fresh Air
Fund. and when it is remembered that hundreds
of parties made up during the summer, some
idea of the magnitude of the work be con-
ceived. The party which goes to Binghamton next
Wednesday may be taken example of the
method pursued by the manager of the fund to
gather the the city streets and organ
iZe them into groups which may be easily handled.
The first steps in the preparations for the Bing-
hamtoh party made made several weeks ago.
George !. Michaebach undertakes the work each
year, and begins by creating interest in the
enterprise among the people of his city. The
editors Of the newspapers and the clergy are gen.
orally the first to pay serious attention to the
movement, and through their combined efforts
sentiment in favor Of the project is worked up.
Considerable interest is awakened In this manner,
so that within a short time Mr. Michaelbach Is able
to make definite preparations for the entertainment
of the several hundred children who will to
the city under his direction.
The first secures the names of those people who
are willing to take the children into their homes.
There is rarely any difficulty in getting sufficient
number who ready TO do this. but many times
the hosts are particular about the religion
tonality of their guests. Some desire Methodists.
others Roman Catholics; somc prefer negro chill
drer, while others favor Italians Armenians.
An effort is made to meet the preferences of all.
though II puts the manager and workers 10 great
deal or extra effort but their aim is to the
children and their hosts. Often 1t happens that GER
tam lanfeS express their desire To entertain the
children they had the previous year and in
this the missionaries in the city forced 10
look them up and have them on hand ready to go
Some families willing take the children. but
cannot afford entertain them. that it IS
necessary for the people I'm the country to provide
money TO meet the expenses which incurred.
Each home Is carefully Investigated In order that
the little guests may be sure Of kind treatment. Any
invitation which Is extended from purely CONNER
cial motives. which is sometimes the where
4flapt
declined.
When Mr.. Michaelbach has secured the names OF
all the residents who willing 10 assist him and
the number of children who he provided for.
the work from the city end begins. date is set
when the party will start. ana the manager. with
his assistants out TO gather the children
Mrs. Barton tho medical examiner Of the Fund,
sends notice TO the various workers setting the
date for the examination of the children for tho
Binghamton party. Before she sees them the ad-
dresses OF the children are sent 10 her. and she
compares the list with that OF the Board Of Health
containing a record of every contagious disease In
the city Any child living in house where there
IS contsgion is not allowed to go until the Board
Of Health han Is taken off. With this record in
hand. the examiner visits the children for a pre-
liminaTy examination. which is later followed ny a
second third inspection until every child Is pro
nounCed physically M FOR the trip,
When the manager is m possession of all the
facts the tickets bought. and the railroad COM
pany is informed that certain number OF children
viii start for BmEhamton on "Wednesday, July -.
The railroad always provides a sufficient number
Of cars its express trains 10 enable the children
20 travel comfortably. On the day appointed the
clans gather al the ferry, under the escort Of the
different workers. There Mr. Michaelbach who
has come from BinEhamton for the purpose. takes
charge Of the party, and. with the aid Of the sta
tion master and assistants the children arc put on
the train.
Zach cl1ld is assigned 10 a. individual family,
and the next step is to present the children in
Binghamton 10 their hosts and that they
are properly cared for. During the two weeks va
cation the children visited at the different
homes. every effort being made To see that they
happy and contented. At the end Cf the fort
night they brought back 10 the city. met at
the station by the respective workers and taken
10 their homes. During the entine trip they are
constantly watched by the manager OF the fund
or some OF his many assistants. lest acct
dent or disease or homesckucss mar Jne pleasure
advantage Of their country outing