El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-17

Till lccA-AH dI-&-uai convention Oh Tie
International Sunshine society, which
begins its sessions in New York to-
day. This society has more than
million members in the United States
and other countries, and, in number,
is the largest philanthropic organiza-
ton in the world, outside Of the
churches
The president-ge general Mrs. Cynthia
Westover Alden, expressed the aims
ard purposes of the society when she
said: If you have a good thing your
self which YOU do not need. pass it
on" The society does a vast deal Of
general charity work along the usual
lines, but it's chief business is the con-
servation of waste sunshine. so to
speak.
Using the Useless Articles.
Perhaps you have som sthing about
your house that is no longer OF use
to you. that is only in the way, that
you are preserving merely because
you don't care to destroy it. but that
you never will need That neglected
thing, that nuisance perhaps, may
mean increased comfort. even happi-
ness. to some person whose need is
greater. To take that thing out Of
your way and to place it where it
will add to the cheer and comfort of
some other persons life; that is the
business of the International Sunshine
society.
The convention in New York will be
attended by several hundred delegates
from all parts of the United States and
Carada- Its business meetings will be
irterspersed with numerous receptions
ard entertainments. including a mu-
steal production Of Joan of Arc" by
a special company supported by cho-
rrrS Of he Of This
entertainment will be applied to uses
of the international society.
Have Good Slogan.
do all the good you can. to as many
people as you can. wherever You can.
however you can, whenever you can,
Is the slogan OF the working members
of the society. That means that the
, charitable work Of the organization is
rot of the cold and calculating kind
too often met with. but that 1t is the
very milk OF human kindness. The
Sunshiners endeavor to help particular
persons. rather than to alleviate the
sufferings Of a vaguely defined class
Believing that every human being de-
sires to help his fellow. this society
tries to point out how that help may
be given in practical fashion
For insta nee, an invalid chair that
do family when some one has been Ill.
Is rescued from the attic and given to
a cripped child to whom that chair
means all the difference between a
mattress prison and the freedom of
Gods out OF doors. The Sunshine So
ciety has found thousands Of cripples
who were compelled to stay all the
time - one srot beoauee they could
not afford a rolling chair. Through ap-
l. L
various other means the Society Sc
cures chairs from fortunate people
who no longer have use for them and
who are only too glad to relieve the
suffering OF their sorely afflicted
neighbors.
When electric lights were installed
in your home. for instance. what be-
came OF the kerosene lamps2 If you
live in a community where there is an
active branch of the Sunshine society
YOU may be sure that those discarded
lamps went to brighten some humble
home where there was no money TO
buy good lamps For such is the
business OF the organized optimists
who compose this society.
Bedding table hren. discarded furni-
ture. clothing books. magazires. pic
tures-all is grisy for the Sunshine
mill Gifts of the simplest sort are
received and distributed in spots
where they will mean more sunshine
in some cloudy life.
Maintains Rest Homes.
Then. too. the society maintains
number Of rest homes. hospitals and
other .'cities of refuge" for the unfor-
turate The largest Of the rest homes
has recently been opened in the old
Starkey Seminary buildings on Lake
The state govern
ment has furnished over $50 rooms
here. and the Sunshine society man
ages the place. This beautiful rest
home is open to anyone desiring
quiet. peaceful place to spend yaca-
ton at a cost of only So a week The
society maintains several other institu-
tons where comfort. quiet and good
cheer may be secured at moderate
prices.
Westover Lodge in New York is es-
pecially adopted to convalescents. 1t
has complete hospital equipment and
skilled physicians and trained nurses
are in attendance While these in
situations are never without emergen-
cy cases. which are paid for by some
friend or some branch of the Sunshine
society, other guests and members pay
a. moderate price. Were II not for the
pay department it would be impossible
to care for the number of emergency
cases of which so far not one has been
turned away.
Babies HO-ue@-
The establishment OF Babies homes
has been undertaken by many Of the
local branches Of the society. In
Leavenworth, Kansas. a home estab
Ished by Mrs Carrie Nation for
drunkard's wives is now being used
by the Sunshine society for destitute
babies No drunkards' wives were will
ing to go into the home, but under its
sheltering roof a large number of lit
tie babies have been cared for until
permanent homes could be provided
for them The Sunshine society is
closely. affiliated with the Child Res
cue movement. and has given sunshine
20 many a childless home by bringing
TO it some little one who needed loving
care
Home for Blind Babies.
One Of the most important institu
tions of the society is the Arthur
home for blind babies at Summit, New
Jersey. This home is designed for lit
tie ones who are hopelessly blind.
They will be cared for and trained and
educated so that thy need not be de-
pendent in the future. The delegates
to the convention now meeting will