The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-15
OF CHARITY REFLECT OFFICERS AT ANNUAL MEETING Large Attendance Pleased With
 Reports of Successful Year Average of 12 Patients Cared for
 Without Charge Throughout
 the Year

| the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent 1 de Paul at the annual meeting in St Vincent's hospital yesterday disclosed | in striking manner the extent Ot | the work of this organization of char itable women connected with the hos pital, and also of the wide scope ot the works of mercy of the Sisters ot I Charity in the hospital itself. That during the past year the hospi- tai has averaged more than 12 pa tlents daily for whom there has been made not single charge, despite the fact that there is an endowment for only one free bed, was brought out in the report of the President, Mrs A. Holste, the dispenser, showed that a total of 1,163 garments had been made or purchased by the Ladies of Charity, during the year, and that large quantities of material have been purchased for the hospital.
 The statements submitted by F,inan- cial Secretary Miss Katherine Flan- agan, and Treasurer, Miss Mary Sul- livan, show that the society starts the current year with a balance of $395.23 on hand. Net proceeds of the concert recently held at Polls theatre were nearly $500.
 The annual election of officers re-
 
 the present staff. The only change was the election of Mrs. T. Leo Lal- ley as director, representing St. Au- gustine's parish. to succeed Mrs. Mollie Dunn Gilroy deceased. The attendance at the meeting was large. Several new members were added.
 Following is the report of Mrs. M H. Ford, the president of the Ladies of Charity. made yesterday to Sister Alice, head of the hospital, and to the officers and members of the so- ciety:
 This, our annual meeting, finds us at the close of our sixth year, and while no special work was undertaken during the year we have kept stead fly on with the work for which the society was originally organized, pro- viding the hospital with bed and body linen for the sick. purchasing and making garments for the children's do many acts of charity, which, with the ever increasing expenses of such an institution, would be a hardship for them to undertake without this cooperation.
 ''The free bed endowed by the La dies of Charity has been constantly occupied, and there are at all times more applicants for admission to it than we can possibly accommodate. It is a regrettable fact that this is still the only free bed in St. Vincent's s hospital; in many cases the appli- cants for admission to it are in such dire need of immediate care with no prospect of help from any other source. that the Sisters take them in and without any recompense. give them the necessary care and provide them with medical treatment, smedi- cine, etc, entirely free of charge, as their report for the year shows that hoe lAu 1~ ,kv 0f I@ 5 they have given APO days free care averaging the care of 12 patients per year free, with 40 days over.
 T feel sure that each and every member considers it a privilege to share in any way in this most char itable work, and all with unabated zeal will do all in their power to aid the Sisters of Charity, who have come into our midst to minister to our less fortunate fellow creatures, bringing peace and comfort to many suffering souls, as we'll as caring for their stricken bodies.
 "The only public affair given during the year, other. than the annual Tea given during the Christmas holidays to our members and friends, which as in every previous year was made most attractive and enjoyable by the efforts of the ladies in charge of the decorations, tea tables, music, etc.. was the Sacred Concert given on Sum- day evening, Feb. IS, at Polls theatre. Besides netting substantial sum for our treasury, it was a great success from an artistic standpoint and we can never cease to feel grateful to those who gave So generously of their talents, and of their time in preparing for it, which meant personal sacri- flee for each one taking part in 1t. We can only hope that their kindness may be returned to them a hundred fold, and pray that the reward be- yond price' may be theirs.
 During the coming year an im- portant and much needed addition to the Hospital will be built, namely, a Maternity ward and new Children's s ward; there has been such a demand for accommodation in those wards that, although it is early in the life of the hospital to- undertake it, the Sisters have decided to make the eff fort
 Tt should be our pleasure to lend them every assistance and to re- double all our previous efforts in be- half of the sick mothers and children to this end every opportunity should be taken advantage of to secure fur nishings and donations for these wards. The work in behalf of the Maternity and Children's word should appeal most forcibly to all of us, and instead of leaving the work to committees, let each and every one of us consider ourselves a member of a committee pledged to do all in our power to make the furnishing of them as little expense to the Sisters as possible.
 'The sewing circle, of which the dispenser. Mrs. Holste, has been the faithful head, has accomplished much good work, and we trust during the coming year many more. may find time to help out in this good work by giving an hour Or two each We'd nesday afternoon.
 'I wish to thank my sister officers, directors and members for many acts of kindness and their helpfulness dur ing the past year. and for myself and the society to express the most grate- full appreciation of the kindness of MT. 8: z. Poli in donating the use of his theatre, for our concert, and of the courtesy of the manager of the house and his assistants, our gratitude to the press of the City of Bridge port for many favors received, and the courtesy always shown us, and also to the public for the generosity with which they invariably meet our call for their-einancial assistance"
 At the close of the meeting of yes- terday small celluloid pocket banks with capacity of 8 in dimes were distributed among the members. These banks will be used for solicit ing funds for the furnishings of the new children's ward. The bank bears a picture of St. Vincents hospital on the face and an anDrOpriata in-