Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-26

ized Charities, the Associated Chari ties and kindred organizations. the charity department of the city of New London. and the public charitable work of the EIks- coupled with the in dividual charity work, there is reason to believe that there was not family in the whole city that did not have a better dinner than usual on Christmas day, and other things to cheer on the side The several charitable Organiza- tions cooperated and as a result there was no duplication and there was cheer sufficient for all. Not that the duplication would have done any harm for none of the families are so well supplied but good use could be made Of a. second dinner While the charity department and the caTitable Organi- cations worked with clear under standing of each other, individuals acted independently and as a result there was increase of Christmas cheer throughout the city
 This charitable work was not con fined to the people of sood will at home as many who are elsewhere re- membered the poor or their home town. One of these was Helen Bran
 iegee Zalinski, sister of Senator Frank E. Brandegee, who is with her hus- band. Colonel NJ J. Zalins6i, at Head quarters Philippine Depa artment, Man fila Philippine Islands. She sent her check for S25 and asked that it. be eX- pended towards making pleasant Christmas for some of the poor of the city.
 This individual charitable work re- minds of a generous act in aid of charity by Mrs Zalinskis father. the late Hon. Augustus BrandeSee. It was while the Telegraph Food and Fire Fund was in operation in New London. It was one of the coldest of winter mornings when Mir. Brandegee wrap ped in his warm cloak. called upon the manager of the fund and said that al- though he had all the comforts of home and a good furnace and plenty o. coal and bed cT5thes, that he had diff ficulty in keeb ng warm the night be- fore. s
 Mir. Brar Ieqee said that while tuck ed away ir, as comfortable bed as there was in the city, his thoughts reverted to the less fortunate to the poor who had not sufficient food or fire material, and recalled nearly every line that had been printed in relation to the Food and Fire Fund, and that he then and there resolved that he would contrl- bute to that fund. He made the prop osition that he would give $500 to the fund if a like sum could be raised within a specified time. He then whispered that he would give the $500 even if another cent was not raised but did not want his name printed among the list of contributors.
 Mir. Brandegee wrote letter for publication in aid of the fund, without signature, and boomed his proposition to raise 5000 to successful issue. The contribution that made the sum complete, $24. was made by the late Thomas W. Williams.
 The Food and Fire Fund, was found ed and literally supported by Mrs Nellie O, Tyler and her husband, the late Colonel Augustus C. Tyler, was a generous contributor The fund was operated for five successive win ters and was always opened by a sub scription of s10o, by Mrs. Tyler, with instructions to inform her when there was need for replenisflment. In addl- ton, Mrs. Tyler, furnished at least thirty-five complete turkey dinners to that number of deserving families, which meant q large native turkey and fixings sufficient to last an ordinary family a week. This she did at Thanksgiving and Christmas, too, with candy and toys for the children Each year Mrs. Tyler contributed over $500 to this fund and always insisted that she should not be known in this truly charitable work.
 in addition sine arranged for a pub lie concert in the Lyceurn theatre in aid of the fund, secured first-claSs talent rom N6~ IOEA anu DOSlOAAs anu even appeared on the stage herself in mandolin solo and all for sweet char ity. Many beneficiariee of the Food and Fire Fund gave heartfelt appreci- ation for the aid they received. and often asked for the names Of the donors. that they might be included in their thanksgiving and prayers
 The Food and Fire Fund was per haps different than any other work of charity ever carried on ill New Lon- don. While every case was carefully investigated in compliance with the wishes of the principal contributors, immediate and substantial aid was given, and when there was doubt as to the deserving qualities of some appii- cants the orders were to give the ap- plicants the benefit of the doubt. That fund did an incalculable amount of good among the poor of the city who were kept ignorant as to the identity of the donors which made it a work of genuine charity. It is now some fif- teen years since the fund was in op- eration and therefore the mentioning of the late Colonel Tyler, Mrs. Tyler, the late Augustus Brandegee and the late Thomas W. Williams will not lessen the degree Of charity.
 Other regular and generous con- tributors to the fund were the late Augustus C. Williams. William P. Smith. Frank Brandegee:. the late Charles Barns, the late Henry R. Bond the late Cyrus c. Beckwita, the late .JrsT1n 0-Hea fhe late Frank Wez fh-