The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1914-12-17
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THE lp(RW[pL[D
THE NEED OF A HELPING HAND.

Having been requested to contribute
an article on the present need of aid
in Kenosha, / beg to offer these few
ideas as the results of every day ex-
perience. In any reference to the SUBJ
Ject, the word charity should be drop
ped and the better term helpfulness
substituted.
For some time various organizations
in the city have been bending every
effort to relieve the distressed. Great
praise is due the Associated Charities
and other kindred bodies for the part
they are taking in this great work.
They cannot, however, relieve all the
needy. In fact many urgent cases are
concealed from their notice. There are
many worthy people in the city today
who suffer in silence rather than let
their circumstances be known. 1t is
for the residents of each community to
investigate conditions in their immedi-
ate localities and report where relief
is required. There need not be any
suffering in our city if the fortunate
will but lend helping hand to those
IN need. The poet has truly said, who
gives himself with his aims, feeds three,
himself, his hungry neighbor and me.
Full appreciation of this can only be
bad from doing the work yourself. On
cold morning when you have enjoyed
a warm breakfast, think of the home
without food or fuel and but little
clothing. Take well filed basket, go
and deliver it in person and you will
realize as never before the true mean
ing of helpfulness.
But you say, I have given my mite
il cash to the organized charities, I
am through. Let me say you are not
through while suffering exists. You
try to clear your conscience by repeat
ing the story of wasted lives. Place
yourself in the position of the man with
family to support who has been out
of employment for several months and
then figure up how far you would be
ahead. Many of those who suffer to-
day do not ask for bread; they are
calling for work that they may earn
the necessities of life. These people
scorn aid. They are unwilling to ac-
cept contributions outright, but plead
to be permitted to pay in the future
for what they get. The writer has had
many specific cases brought to his at
tention. A man was given a dime to
pay his carfare to a place in the
country where work had been secured.
He looked at the ten cents and said,
[ am able to walk. May [ not buy
two loaves of bread for my family
The heroic spirit with which many in
straintened circumstances have faced
these trying conditions is marvellous.
Time and again the head of the home
and his patient helpmate have taken no
thought of themselves in their earnest
children.
We hope and trust that the period
of depression which has existed for
over year is about over and that the
dawn of a better day is close at hand.
When that time comes, help will not
be needed. Strike while the iron is
hot. Do it today, for the morrow may
not come. cam [ my brothers. keep
er?'' Answer affirmatively and do your
part. When the sun is shining it is no
sacrifice to talk of the great brother
hood of man. When darkness is upon
the earth, actions speak louder than
words. We are approaching the blessed
Christmas season when the spirit of