The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-23
By MRS. RICHARD q. wATRoUs.

Thousands Of new garments are
distributed each year in the month
of November by the District branch
of the Needlework Guild of America
and the many branches Of that or
ganization throughout the country.
From the hundreds of centers At
which the work IL carried on will
be distributed new, warm. comfort
able articles. OF wearing apparel and
household linen to visiting nurse as
sociations. hospitals. houses, day
nurseries, and many other institu-
tons. In the case Of hospitals. the
clothing IL for needy. outgoing pa
TENTS. Household linen. such as
sheets, pillow cases. and towels, are
invaluable to the visiting nurses, as
they 60 from home to homo where
there Is an insufficient supply, II any
at all, OF these essentials In case Of
illness. and many are the poor little
waits who come into this world with
nothing provided for their comfort.
For. such as these the Needlework
Guild supplies that lack, for the in
stitutions rarely have available funds
to provide for the destitute. that pass
yearly by the thousands from them.
Distributing Garments.
II has been the custom OF the Or
ganisation to select the closing weeks
Of the year for concerted action in
the ingathering and distributing OF
garments. The collection OF these
garments is made a quiet. simple
matter. by a most efficient system.
In order 10 subdivide the labor OF a
city branch. there are section presi-
dents. each Of whom forms a section
of FIVE directors, turning in at the
annual collection not less than 10
garments.
The garments are collected from
the members OF the guild, the dona-
ticn, annually. Of two garments of
wearing apparel or household linen
or the equivalent in money, consu-
tIttrg membership.
The organization Is non-sectarian
in its membership, all creeds, classes,
and sects working together and min
isterins to many charities. Prior to
the distribution. the secretary of the
branch has communicated with the
local charitable institutions and OBJ
tanned from them a list of articles
most needed SO that to each institu-
tion there 20 garments that will be
inmediately useful This system
prevents waste and misdirected et-
fort IN fact, q study of the remark
able system and the ease with which
the work Is carried on causes one to
marvel at its perfection.
Use Only New Clothing.
Its new garments in particular dis
tinguish it.
There are many agencies to handle
used clothing. but the Needle Work
Child by its charter cannot credit
anv hut new articles. New substan-
N.I ciothing gives to the we-~sr
= r.eIing of self-respect, and the ef-
feet is that of moral uplift. not Of
na,,nerization. Seventeen years ago
tie District Of Columbia branch was
orRanized and every year since
then II has done its share to make
oonr,fortable. warm and happy those
u,hou through stress OF adverse for
tnne have been rendered destitute,
ord Il has served to give many a
fresh start In lie.
The wear OF 1918 was a most sue
c.ssful one for the District branch
~ the Needlework Guild. The work
vas conducted with enthusiasm and
consequent increase of membership.
THE number Of garments collected
showed an increase or nearly 100
ner cent over that OF any previous
wear
THE branch Is greatly honored In
having as its honorary president Mrs.
Woodrow Wilson. who. before com
ing 10 Washington. had for several
years been a member of the branch
AT princeton. The other officers OF
this branch are Mrs. Henry Arnold
Peckham. president: Mrs. oscar W.
Underwood: Miss Anna 3. Abbot.
Ma Nabl T. 1oaSduAa. Ma ~