Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-09-14
Bluefield Follows Lead of
the Associated Charities
Found Effective in Cities
Where It Has Been Tried.
DIPENSED FROM A
CENTRAL HEAD
The Organization Hopes to
Double Relief Work of
Last Year.

Following the lead of larger cities
throughout this country aud Europe.
Bluefield has an established Asso-
ciated Charities organization which
is just now beginning 10 work out it's
plans for relief work during the
closely approaching winter months.
Those who are conversant with as
sociated charities work. such as was
in operation In this city last winter.
say that this IS the only successful
and effeetiye plan by which the re-
lief OF city's poor may be accom-
plshed. Relief work Is reduced to an
exact science and hasty, iadiscrim.
mate giving is done away with as is
begging on the streets and at the
homes throughout the city.
IAN ehurches, fraternal organiza-
tioas anf psilalthropic laymen." said
the Rev. C. X. w. Kegley, chairman OF
the publication committee, this morn
Ing, ARE interested In the work. or
should be. the funds being turned
over 10 central head aad dispensed
TO the worthy poor in just the guam.
tity and In the way most needed.
"One thousand dollars was spent
last winter and not one penny was
used indiscriminately. The ministers,
and some laymen, in addition to
looking after the poor of their
church, have joined in the work and
have spent a large amount OF time
and labor in making personaI in
vestigation of the condition Of the
cty's poor. Nothing has escaped them
and with a thorough understanding
OF the situation and personal ac-
quaintance with the unfortunate they
are in position TO handle this relief
work economically. and on a system
which will permit OF no oversignts or
delays. Every dollar goes TO charity:
no one engaged in the work gets paid
one cent for his Christian service. ="
The Rev Kegley has studied char
ity work in other cities and tsrah
authority on methods OF relief work
In speaking further Of the orgaaiza-
ton ne said:
Charity work of every city that
Is successful in giving true help is
carried on In general something Ike
we have in our own city. The people
OF the city hold big mass meeting
once yeaT and elect or elect ditee!
tors who will see after the collecting
Of funds A secretary and treasurer
Is elected 10 keep all funds ana an
accurate account OF everything that
Is handled by the association whether
groceries, money, fuel. clothing or
what not. Each voting ward Is placed
under the care of a minister who
carefully studies and knows all the
needs OF the poor Of that ward and
gives orders to relieve thar need on
the treasury All churches, societies.
organizations, lodges, and indivldu-
ais are asked 70 give their charity
oHeriAsS through this one city assO-
ciation and every needy person will
be helped
"If we had no Associated Chari-
ties for the city then certain individ-
uals would nelp those cases OF need
that come under their observation
and societies would help those needy
ones that knew Of their Willingness
but many cases OF true need and Of
modest poverty would NOT get help.
This association Of the city. by the
city and for the city asks for your
gifts for charity and promises TO give
without any pay for any EFFORT we
maNe) all the funds from whatever
source TO the poor faithfully. prompt
iy and also wisely. We cooperate
with the city police and the Officers
for the county poor prudentIy to give