Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-05
TO Be GIVEN
TO POOR OF THE CITY
NeedIeWork Guild Plans Dis
tribution of 5000
Garments.

Thousands. of garments will be distrib-
uted to the poor tomorrow by the Wash
ington Branch of the Needlework Guild
of America and the many branches OF
that organization throughout the country.
From the hundreds of centers at which
these enthusiastic workers will meet will
be distributed in vans and smaller con-
veyances new, comfortable garments to
visiting nurses, hospitals. homes, day
nurseries and other institutions. There
will not be a single used or cast-off gar
ment going out from these groups. Every,
garment is newly purchased or made by
the donor.
For twenty-seven years this national
organization has carried on an ever-in-
creasing and constantly growing charity.
1t has been done quietly, without ex-
ploitation- or display, and has engaged the
active participation of women Of large
means. of culture and high social stand
ing. Many women we'll known have been
officers at one time or another Of the Ma
tional Guild and have been active workers
in local hapters Mrs. Levi P. Morton of
airy national president Last spring at
Philadelphia, the general headquarters.
Mrs. Truman II. Newberry of Detroit
and we'll known as a winter resident OF
w aSmnEtOn was eleCteu prcSlUent.
At that biennial meeting 1t was req orted
that in the last two years nearly a mil
lion garments had been collected and dis
tributed by the branches of the National
Guild. In 1909 the total number was 49,
$50. and in 1910 501 .2a6
How Garments Are Collected.
1t has been the custom to select the
closing weeks of the calendar year for
{r, a
distribution of garments by all of the
branches. By Christmas every branch
will have done its work, and in January
the reports will be sent to the general
secretary at Philadelphia The collec-
ton OF these thousands of garments is
made quiet, simple matter by an eff
cient system. The unit is the individual.
called a director. who promises to collect
twenty-five garments. Five directors,
one of whom is designated section presi-
dent, constitute a section and represent
no or more garments Each section
president. on the day designated for the
distribution, delivers her allotment. On
that day the many allotments are sorted,
listed and put up for delivery.
Prior to the distribution the secretary
OF the branch has communicated with the
local charitable institutions and obtained
from them a list of the garments most
needed. SO that to each asylum or home
there go articles that will be Immediately
useful. This system prevents waste and
instructed effort. In fact, a study of
the remarkable system and the ease with
which it is carried on causes one to
at its perfection.
f1fteen years ago the Washington
branch was organized and every year
since then it has done its share to make
comfortable. warm and happy those who
through stress of adverse fortune have
needed assistance.
Many to Be Distributed.
Last year the Washington branch gave
nearly $500 garments. Tomorrow, when
he members meet at All Souls Church,
which this year is selected as the dis |
center, although the guild is
in its organization and
it is expected that nearly
5000 garments will be assembled for de- |
livery to the charitable institutions of
he District. Assisting the officers and
of the Washington branch this |
year will be the founder OF the National |
Guild, Mrs. John Wood Stewart who will |
ilen Ridge, N. j.. for that purpose Two |
weeks ago Mrs. Newberry met some of |
he local officers to discuss the annual |
General interest Is mani |
tested by the parent organiza tion in the |
Efforts of the Washington branch
The officers Of the Washington branch,
elected last spring, are as follows: Hon.
,rary president, Mrs. Herbert Wads- |
worth; president, Mrs. William Coccoran |
Hum. Miss Anna b. Abbot and Mrs A. |
F. Hassan; treasurer, Mrs. Spencer 8. |
Wood; secretary. Mrs. Richard E. Wat |
rous.