South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-26
HAPPY FACES Of
THRONG OF KIDS
REWARD B. P. D. {.
Thirteen Hundred Little Hearts
Leave Temple Smiling After
Being Remembered BY the
B. P. 0. E. Santa Claus.

Christmas was real to at least 1900
boys and girls of South Bend for it
was that number who took possession
of the Elks' temple Friday afternoon
and received gifts of candy and toys.
The distribution of the gifts had been
set TO begin at o'clock but some of
the more anxious little ones were on
hand at Il o'clock. These early corners
were made warm and comfortable and
they waited patiently until the grand
rush began soon after the dinner hour.
A great tree had been set up in the
auditorium. 1t was such a tall tree
that the top bent against the ceiling.
The tree was decorated in the most
approved Christmas fashion with tinsel
and lights. Tables arranged on the
stage and in front of the stage were
loaded high with toys and candy and
fruit. When the children were at last
admitted to the auditorium every seat
was quickly filled while others await
ed their turn in the parlOr and the
dining room. The auditorium was
filled two times before the distri bu-
ton was finished and every child had
received his gifts.
The gift for each one consisted of
toy with sack containing candy, an
orange, an apple and a package OF
cracker-jack. The boys were given
mechanical toys and the girls received
dolls. The supply of 1900 packages
of cracker jack was exhausted before
all had been supplied and it was nee
essary to get an extra supply Of fruit.
None went away disappointed how
ever and when all was over there re-
manned on hand liberal supply of
toys.
Crowd Well Handled.
The handling of such a throng of
youngsters was done with precision
and with every provision for safety.
Two members of the police force were
on hand as we'll as three firemen.
Tickets for the distribution had been
given out through the schools so that
only the needy children were Tecipi-
ents. The number of boys and the
number Of girls was about the same
there being in the neigh borhood Of
700 boys and 900 girls.
The bringing of Christmas cheer TO
the youngsters is the one big event in
the year for the Elks and no more
has one Christmas day passed than
work is started in preparation for the
next Christmas day. Within a few
weeks now another entertainment will
be held under the auspices of the
lodge 10 secure money for the 1915
Christmas fund. No profits from such
entertainments are used for any other
purpose and the profits are generally
substantial inasmuch as there are no
salaries 10 be paid therefrom and
other expenses are cut to the mini
mum.
Much Work Needed.
Not only are the donations of time
and labor during the year cOnsdera-
BILE but as the holiday season ap-
proaches someone or two find il nee
essary to give their entire time to the
preparations. Much credit for the sue
cess of this years event is due TO lib
eral donations from outside sources.
The Elks vaudeville and the S400 prize
won in The News-Times contest result
ed in the largest additions TO the 1914
Christmas fund a report of the
years work Will be completed soon
showing the number of presents of
various sorts that have been dis
tributed.
The affair Friday afternoon was
merely the grand close of . week OF
playing Santa Claus on the part of
the Elks. All during the week thin
~ clad school boys and school girls
have been taken to the various stores
where they could be fitted out with
warm clothes at the expense of the
lodge. And SO il Is that not only Will
"a host OF children remember the Efks
because of the good cheer coming
from receiving candy and toys but
many will remember them because
they are warm against the cold win
ter winds.
Mission Services.
\ large attendance was present at
the New City Mission last night TO
hear Rev. A. w Smith, pastor Of the
River Park NJ. +. church. He gave
= sermon that appealed TO all pres
ent and the result was three CONVEX
Sions.
lie dealt with the spirit that should
be shown by the public on Christmas
day. explaining the reasons that the
25th day Of December Is treated as il
is by the Christian and asked why il is
treated by the dTunkard in the way
that he treats il.
The choir OF the church was pres
ent and sang a number of hymns
Supt. Bird was highly cOmplimented
on his work thus far by Mr.. Smith.
Enjoy Christmas.
Eats. clean collars, and other things
that the recent converts Of the Rescue
mission have not had FOR years were
enjoyed by them yesterday at the
home OF the Rev A. q. Schafer. lead
or OF the mission.
Men were there who have been
drunk on Christmas for the last %
years and they were in better spirit
at the house OF the pastor than they
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