New-York tribune., 1909-07-15
GUESTS OF BINGHAMTON
HosptabLe Citisens Entertain 23G
Fresh dir Children.
Mister. omen this window"

/ Mister. open this window"
Mister, I can't get my shoe on
Mister, I've spilled all my things; please tie
them I'D me-"
( So the requests came from 2Ss children who went
yesterday morning to Binghamton two weeks
vacation under the auspices of the Tribune Fresh
Air Fund. Imagine taking a family of ten boys
and girls a picnic and then multiply by twenty
five and some idea can be gained of the situation
which confronted the Fresh Air workers yester-
day.
/ Four carloads OF children singing and shouting
at the top of their voices, left the Lackawanna
station at 1918 70 enjoy the hospitality of the
i citizens of Binghamton. They were of all ages
from four to twelve, excited crowd looking for
ward to their outing with all the Joy which antic-
patton brings
An hour and half before train time they were
marshalled to the Barclay street ferry under the
guidance of the workers of the fund Some had
twenty-five in tow, others brought only three or
four, but whether the number was large or small,
each worker took the keenest interest IN the wei
fare of her charges. The party was met at the
ferry by George J. Michaelbach and his assistants
who took the children to BnGhamton.
Forty-two families of the upstate city have in
vted the little visitors be their guests and were
ready at the station to meet them when the train
arrived It was small task for Mr.. Nichaelbach
TO apportfon the children among the different fami
lies. for some had invited ten, while others took
! one or two. AS the train started each
. child received a number which designated the fam
lily he or she was to visit, and when the Journey
/ the children out.
The people of Binghamton have generously raised
$500 TO meet all expenses while the boys and girls
are in the city Even the druggists came forward
and contributed several boxes Of chewing gum to
keep the children from being carsck. Every one
WAS plentifully supplied before the train started
In each car was attendant to look after the
children SO that harm could come to them
When the party reached its destination it was met
by representatives OF the City Union Home So
ciety, who brought lemonade and waters to re-
fresh the travellers after their long Journey This
party the largest sent out by the fund this
year.
But several other large parties went during the
day. Five hundred and FIVE children in all were
sent away. In the afternoon 16l went 20 Ashford
Hill. and ffty-four to the Convalescent Home at
Goshen. n. Y. Fifty-one went to Schohare and
Middehurg. \. Y. Among the number who went
in the Binghamton party were thirteen children
who will spend the vacation al Norwich. The par
ties returning yesterday were thrty-seven from the
ConvaIescent Home Goshen. twenty from New
Windsor and PIG from Ashford Hill.
The good work OF the Fresh Air enterprise by
means Is confined to the children A letter has
been received recently from attendant at one
OF the homes which reveals phase. The let
ter reads:
Something about the work here avakens within
me great desire to he a missionary worker. Since
boy have cherished the hope that some
day might be able TO work among the poor and
lowly. You can easily see how the love and
affection Of many innocent children encourages
and stirs up within me the desire to be a worker
In the great cause.
There are about two hundred boys between the
ages Of tV elve and fourteen who have 10 the
attention Of the Fund They too old 10 TO
any OF the homes, and special provision must be
made for them. The manager would appreciate
any Invitations extended 10 them. 1t IS possible
that the young people Of some town would be
willing 10 prepare a camp provide house FOR
them 10 1--we in. II such the the work Of the
Fund could be materially extended.