Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-21

come better acquainted with the work. l
am sure they would become greatly inter-
ested and feel more responsibility In help-
ing us to find good homes for our children.
We wish more people would visit the home
and know the children. know them as In
dividuals, they are so responsive to love
and tenderness shown them. One little
boy of three placed in new home would
say to his foster mother kiss my cheeks.
kiss my hands," after his kisses he would
say excuse me. but they feel better
now" The children love to have
stories told them It would add so much
to their pleasure II friends would come
and talk with them, and the tired care
takers like a bit of outside life. These
women who are constantly with the chill
dren are helped by having interest shown
In their work.
In every report that has been sent out
for several years thore has been an ap-
peal for q school Of manual training for
boys, and q school Of domestic science
for tho girls. Last year, through the
kindness and generosity Of a friend. We
have had the wished for school In
domestic scienca One Of the rooms In
the basement has been fitted UP for this
purpose. 1t has It's gas stoves, and its
pots and pans, and here every morning
| In the summer vacation the little girls
| from eight to IL have been learning to
cook. One little girl said, Il shall soon
! know how to keep house for father, and
| then we can all be together" The girls
enjoy this cooking class more than they
! enjoy play, and II means much to have
them occupied during tho summer vaca
/ ton.
| Many friends have during tho year
added to the children's pleasure. They
| have been given rides by the Traction
| company. the Unitarian Church has given
them a picnic on the lake, several peo-
pie have sem automobiles and taken
them for rides. some have given
them tickets to plays. The young
men from the university have
como to the home to teach In the Sunday
school, and to direct the children In their
games and play. We have greatly appre-
ciated this. We would not forget the ply
sicians who are so faithful, nor the friends
who donate clothing. books, toys and
fruit. This soon amounts to enough to
board some poor child q year. beside CIV
Ing unbounded pleasure.
Twenty-Five years ago a request was
sent to the Legislature to have the State
establish an institution for feeble-minded
children. That request Is about to be
granted. Predetermined children are q
great detriment among 30 many other
children, because they must have specia
. care and special training In spite Of
e every effort a feeble-minded child some
times gets into the home, and 1t has beer
e entirely outside our province to care FOL
L. Ao<
3 know that Vermont is this year to estab
h lish an institution TO Gaze for Its feeble
Z minded children
We sincerely wish the year 1916 mleh
n see the home free from debt. that VI
might use every cent Of our income owe
s running expenses for much needed repairs
>, Every building needs painting, and rucl
= should be done inside. The health ant
comfort Of the children Is always tho frs
20 consideration. Our debt has heen reduced
+ in the last five years from $4,000 to S,co
. (which shows that We have had most gener
:, GUS friends. and that great economy ha
been practiced by our efficient matron an
!. her competent assistant. At present "
:, have an excellent corps OF Caretakers
=, both kind and thoughtful Of the children
-, Were there time and patient listeners
>, could give some most interesting account
-, of children who have come back to tn
~ home during the year who are PLEASANT
n settled in life, and very happy In thei
\ homes Our work is not simply a missio
m to the poor and distressed. The great or
Is ject for which we strive Is to educate tn
10 children in love and thoughtfulness fo
70 others. to be kind and truthful. homes
at boys and girls, and give them the bet
lr possible idea Of what work means, tho
n they may walk the way Of life with tt
n. Book Of all books as their guide.
IN Respectfully submitted.
toI SUSAN C. PLATT.