Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-11-25
DOLLAR CHRISTMAS
FUND FOR BELG|ANS
STR|KEN BY STRIFE
BANNER WILL RECEIVE DOLLAR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO AID IN
RELIEVING DISTRESS

In the midst of plenty and all the
warmth and comforts of our Ameri-
can homes when we sit down to our
Thanksgiving dinners this year il is
only meet and right that we pause
for a moment and think of the "abom-
ination of the desolation" with which
the Belgians, especially among all ma
tions, have been visited.
The Banner has received a letter
from Henry Clews the great New
York banker outlining admirable
working plans for relief of the Bel
gians. Mr. Clews who is known all
over the country as one Of America S
great conservative and constructive
business men has been selected to act
as treasurer Of what is called the Dol
lar Christmas Fund for Homeless Bel
gians. He has asked the Banner to
undertake to receive contributions for
this fund, the idea OF which will be
fully explained in his letter given be-
low.
The Banner is only too happy to
undertake this work and will insure
any reader who wishes to contribute
his or her dollar that every contribu-
tor will receive a receipt direct from
the fund headquarters in New York
for the amount contributed.
Remember only dollar is asked
for-no more. This fact will make
decidedly for the popularity of the
fund. There will be no inequality
Of gifts.
Before commencing this work of
receiving contributions the Banner
management took the matter up with
various citizens and the idea met with
hearty appreciation. The following
persons at once pledged dollar
each: +. e. Chapple, DR.. G.. +. Smith,
Rev. w a. Bliss NJ. h. Osborne, Brin-
ton +. Hall. f. A. Washburn. w. +.
Sandell, j. X. Coates. Ford Hicks, n.
G. Nelson, Charles Wagner. Henry
Smith, Geo. Wagner, Mrs. T.. b. Lap
ham, Mrs. Eta Mclaughlin and Rev.
A. j. Blair.
full list of contributors will be
published each week.
These names are given just simply
to show the enthusiasm with which
the idea was greeted. No attempt has
been made to solicit funds generally
as yet.
In order TO have the money reach
New York in time the Banner will
send the contributions on the evening
OF December 16. Money will be re-
ceived until 6 p. m. of that day
Following is Mr.. Clew's letter of
appeal
Appeal for Starving Bcigians
Christmas approaches and countless
unhappy Belgians, despite govern
mental relief, the Rockefeller
Foundation and other valuable agen-
cies, are confronted with starvation
l therefore beg the favor of your
columns to say that the Dollar Christ
mas Fund for Homeless Belgians, of
which l am Treasurer, is working for
the special purpose of preventing
starvation amongst hundreds of thou
sands of Belgians this winter. For
this purpose we are cooperating with
the London Shilling Fund" a much
older fund which has collected nearly
100000 and which is expressly or
ganized TO see that no Belgian, man,
woman or child, spends Christmastide
devoid Of food and shelter.
There will be no duplicating, no
overlapping and every penny sub
scribed will go direct to the victims
i'm whose behalf | appeal / believe
this great work Of mercy commands
the sympathy of us all and more es-
peClaly IN TINS month Wnen AlneTl-
cans doubly blessed with peace and
plenty are preparing TO celebrate the
Day Of Thanksgiving.
All the money received will be
cabled to Europe before Dec. goth.
Many heads OF families and boarding
houses have promised to pass the
plate" for the homeless Belgians be-
fore the turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
The needs are immeasurable. Let us
remember that no little nation in the
worlds long history has been more
grievously stricken yet no people can
raise their heads more proudly from
the dust. The crown OF thorns Is still
a crown! Help ~ as best you can.
Your gift will 81 rely be remembered
long after the war has ceased and no
mans Thanksgiving or Christmas Day
will be less happy because in some
cases the gift may entail some mea
sure OF personal sacrifice.
Yours very truly.
HENRY CLEWS.