The Washington herald., 1910-05-29
By THE OPTINIIST.

idea caught on famously Some OF tho
members. who probably forgot the won
derful page on Charity which we had
last spring. have submitted quotations
and other sentiments en- the general topic
Of charity. which. however. 1 have used.
so far as I had the space, because most
OF them are very beautiful and helpful
Many Of the members understood.
though. that 1 wanted suggestions on
practical charity: that asked them TO
tell me in their own words just exactly
what they thought would be the best
way for the Washington Herald Optimist
Club TO raise money for some worthy
and deserving purpose this summer.
The members are practically unanimous
on the suggestion that we would best
concentrate our efforts for the benefit of
the children. Hot weather and the cities
are frightfully hard on babies. How soon
they begin 20 droop when the days and
nights Of scorching heat come, Lucky
mothers and fathers who can take their
babies TO the country and 10 the sea-
shorei Do you ever stop 10 think OF
the tired mothers and fathers. who labor
day after day, struggling against over
whelmjng odds, who cannot spare a dol
lar out OF their slender means TO give the
little ones who need it-Oh, so sorely-a
breath OF Gods fresh air, and a sight OF
his beautiful trees and birds and flowers?
Those Of you who know the refresh
ing breezes OF the mountains. and the
stiff. salt air that blows in strong and
g. ~ -
reveled in the wide sweet reaches Of
the countryside, and ttrived on the good
wholesome country fare have you not
just little contribution for the sake
Of those who need these things but have
not the means TO get them?
Inasmuch as the suggestions which I
have received are largely unanimous on
the point OF who shall be the recipients
Of the fund that We propose 70 raise,
namely: The Fresh Air Fund for Chill
dren," 7 believe that we can get the
members TO work thoroughly in harmony
with this object in view
What propose In ibis connection. and
backed by your kind and noble thoughts
and deeds. and promises OF hearty coop
GRAFTON. Is simply to start a fund. 20
which you can all contribute in your own
way I wl remind the members. both
new and Old Of this fund every Sunday,
so that there may be no doubt Of its be-
ing kept alive until about the first OF
August when the amount collected will
be turned over to the proper authorities
IN the name Of the Washington Herald
Optmist Club.
Now remember good friends. I do not
specify any particular amount which I
wish each member TO contribute; nor do
] expect any member to contribute who
has his own pet charity for which he is
laboring. And. most important Of all.
wish 90 impress It upon you that no sum
IS too small 20 be acceptable If one
penny IS all you have to give out Of your
slender means, that one penny will look
as large as II It were ten dollars
You are all familiar with the parable
Of the widows mite. and I need hardly
emphasize 10 YOU that the motive which
is behind giving is the principal thing
not the sum that you are able 70 offer.
Some Of my givers have asked me 10
withhold their names. Oh, yes, have
begun already to receive the money
great many have already sent me cash
4
wish 10 especially warn you about send
ing loose money through the malls.
cannot. Of course. be responsible for it's
receipt when It is sent this way II you
must use the mail send postage stamps
or Q check or a money order. but do not
trust coins or bills 10 the mails.
II you do and fail to receive n receipt.
you will know that It never reached me.
In regard TO not printing the names,
know that most OF you feel modesty
about having contributions publicly ac-
kDowledged and while have my heart
set on printing a list contributors each
Sunday. 1 am willing TO accede to your
wishes IN this matter, but I might suR-
gest TO those who do not care to have
their fun names appear. that their ini-
tials or some distinguishing title. such
as "A friend" will do TO identify YOU In
this way you can be certain that your
tribute to the children is acknowledged.
II there are any details about our
Fresh Aair Fund" that any Of YOU fail
10 grasp, please write me and will make
It clear. l do not want any one 10 mis-
understand the purposes or the motives
this collection 1t is far from nv inten.
ton to exact any sum OF money from the
good and faithful members, who have
worked side by side with me for more
than a year; nor shall adopt the sug
gestion that many OF you have made
that the ten prize-winners donate their
prizes every Sunday 10 this fund. or
course II the prize-winners wish, their
dollars will come In very handy to swell
our treasury, and they will be given due
credit. But II ! were 10 arbitrarily rule
that the prizes were TO be applied in this
way. the gifts would lose their spon-
taneity, and perhaps I should run the
danger Of robbing some needy person Of
the dollar thus won fairly. 1 know that
many OF you give your prizes to charity.
and 1 would not deprive the recipients
OF the privilege OF giving when and where
they choose.
am sure you all see this as do
Contributions are simply to be made
voluntarily. The fund will not be kept
open beyond August 1, unless there is
some especially reason why the time
should be extended.
Next Sunday I will print the first list