Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-19
SANTAC[AUS0PENS
ABRANCH HERE
Christmas Presents by Mail to
Poor Children of City
Is Object. Il
MISS OLIVE MAY WILSON p.
THE ORIGINATOR OF IDEA
Project Endorsed by Vice President
Marshall, Speaker Clark
and Others. ]

a right -the-Spot branch has been
opened whereby the destitute children.
of Washington, those whom Santa
Claus is most likely to overlook, may
share In the benefits of the scheme in
augurated last Christmas by Miss
Olive May Wilson of Jenkintown, Pa,
whose idea it is to have Christmas
presents sent by mail to poor children
who are known to be deserving. Miss
Wilson has been called. by reason Of
her good work, 1.-The Santa Claus Girl"
and last season she assured the happi-
ness of more than 5000 children. This
year it is hoped that these figures will
be doubled.
A young woman of Washington has
offered to take the names of children
from this vicinity and to see that their.
requests are filled. and the people of
the District, it is pointed out. can
avail themselves, by reason of her ,
work, of a splendid chance to make
happy some deserving child by send
ing or ordering sent gift through
that mysterious and fascinating,
medium. the postman.
Vouched for as Worthy.
The names, ages and addresses of the
obtained by skilled social workers. and
are vouched for as being absolutely
worthy.
Miss Wilson has written from Jenkin.
town the following letter appreciative
Of the Washington woman's ouer:
"Your very kind letter received. and
am very much pleased at the interest
you take in the work of the Santa
Claus mail. am expecting daily a list
OF names from Washington. II you
will let me know how many children
you can take care of. 1 will be glad
to send you the seals. letters. tags,
etc, 1t is so late this year to send you !
the original letters from the children.
but will do SO Ii possible.
with best wishes and hoping to hear
from you again, and regretting that l
am so rushed at this time as not TO be
able to write you as fully as L should
wish, believe me" etc.
The good people of Washington are
asked by this branch agency of the
firm of st. Nicholas & Co, for that is
what 1t really is, to send either con-
tributions or toys. The cost of the toys
may be small. perhaps only a dime of =
heart of child Christmas morning.
and, moreover, it comes in that delight
fully mysterious way. by mall
On account of the European war tire
supply of dolls is especially low, say
those who are to attend to the detaiis'
and they viii be particularly accept
able. When you are out buying Toys
for your own children, buy just ono eN-
ira toy and have it sent by the store TO
the Santa Claus Girls Associate, 5ols
10th street northwest.
Marshall Endorses Project. ~
Among those indorsing the project
are the Vice President. the Speaker or
the House of Representatives, the Sec
rotary of State, the Secretary OF the
Navy, Senator John Sharp Williams.
Admiral George Dewey and Rev. Her.
bert Scott Smith.
Following are two letters. written by
Vice President Marshall and received
by the Santa Claus G.rl IN Jenhln-
town, one before and one soon after
last Christmas. What he says in re-
gard to her work applies also to that
on which the associate is engaged. In
one letter Mr.. Marshall wrote:
I'm spite of all dogma and all doubt,
tho world believes that the sweetest
baby ever born was born in the manger
at Bethlehem. The world cannot prop
erly celebrate His birthday unless it
remembers that every baby born is en-
titled to some sweetness and light.
II welcome with great pleasure.
therefore, your proposed distribution OF
Christmas gifts to all the needy and
unfortunate children. Such service VIII
not only bless him who takes but also
him who gives. The world Will be far
better for this labor of love ] hope
the Congress of the United States may
make it possible to distribute such
gifts without payment of postage"
The second letter said:
II am very glad to know that YOU
have been so successful in your lauda-
BILE Christmas undertaking and l be-
speak for you many years OF usefulness
and happiness. Indeed, the two terms
are synonymous. -
Don't read and forget but remember
and there will be no empty stockings
in Washington Christmas morning., is
the message of the Santa Claus Girls
Assistant to the readers of The Star. T-s-'