New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-06-16
BOYS CLUB FUND
INCREASING FAST
More Contributions to Worthy
Cause Left With Herald
A. ]. SLOpER GIVES stO0

Offcrings-Your Assistance Will BE
Apprcciaaed-Do 1t Now and Help
Guarantees Americas Future.
The citizens committee appointed to
solicit contributions for the building
of new home for the Boys club is
meeting with fine success SO far, in its
efforts to give the boys of this city
needed. This committee. consisting
of Peter Crona, chairman: w. j. Mars
land, Johnstone Vance, Carl s. Ram
say, and A. f. Corbin. is hard at work
on the project and Is confident from
the manner in which responses have
been made so far that the undertake
ing will prove to be success.
These gentlemen believe that there
is such convincing evidence of the
need for better facilities, and such
an amount OF approval OF the club
and its work that it will be possible
to raise by popular subscription the
money required to build. Acknowl-
edgement will be made in the Her
aid OF all additions to the fund, either
in cash or pledges which may be
given to any member of the citizens
committee.
object Appeals to All.
The committee expects that large
number of New Britain people will
take advantage of the opportunity thus
afforded to help along q cause which
appeals to everyone, and it Is the wish
OF the committee that money Or
hedges be sent in as quickly as pos
sible@ Generous gifts to the fund
from some substantial citizens are as
sured so soon as the popular support
OF the movement makes itself evf-
dent. and contribution now is there
fore of special value.
subscriptions Given Today
The financial end of the undertake
ing will be handled by the Herald.
Today the following sums were sub
scribed: p. T. Glass, So; G. s. Ramsay
SIS; IA l. Plat. SIS; George Kimball,
S.; Judge Ja-nes 10 Cooper, SIS; DIR.
r -. Reeks, SIS; Al Friend, So; DIR. Al
Anderson, SIS; Monroe Parsons, SIS;
G. y. Parker, So: DIR. T. c. Hodgsori,
Berlin, SIS: CIV. Klett, SIS; B. w. |
Alling SIS; A. j. s. Sloper, 500.
The building fund was started last
J~nuary at a dinner at which Super
intendent r.. III. Crawford OF the club |
attended. He exhibited SIS gold |
piece which was presented to him on
New Years day. by twelve boys in
Salem, Conn, before whom he deliv-
cred an address Not caring to wear /
the coin as souvenir he turned 1t
over to T.. w. Christ, president of the /
club, with the suggestion that it be 1
placed in bank as at start for a new
building President Christ irnme-
diately doubled the amount and since
that time it has continued to grow
until today 1t amounts to tidy sum.
This was the start of a fund that
prmises to give the city one of its
needed institutions in short time,
one that its citizens will feel proud
Of
The committee has in view a site
which will be looked over in few
days and 1t is expected that some def
mite action will be taken. All con-
tributions to the fund will be received
by the committee or at the Herald
ONCE.
History of Club. /
The Boys club was organized in
1891 and occupied two rooms in ,
Sicring & Holmes block on West Main ..
street. until it moved TO It's present
quarters on Lafayette street in 1918.
Previous to this time j, had been do
ing good work ina quiet way without
any attempt to fully occupy the !
field. but its incorporation IN 1913, it's
to larger quarters and the
advent of r. II. Crawford as its super
intendent marked the beginning of
a new epoch. Mr.. Crawford is boys !
man. He has the heart and the open Y
mind of a boy; the enthusiasm and I
energy which appeals to boys; an I
knowledge of what his boys 6
need and an intense desire to help c
them to better their lives. BOYS l
flock to him and follow him eagerly !
IND his influence over them seems Il
bounded only by his facilities for d.
recting them. There are In all about q
1000 boys on the club roll, with an t
average attendance on winter even y
nus of $50. The rooms are so q
at times that 1t is practically r
impossible to have amusement, in Il
or work done properly. 81
Some of the boys come from n
antilles where there is great poverty.
LAST winter some OF them came to
he club rooms with their shoes so
worn that their feet were on the |,
sronnd and to remedy this condition
cobbling class was stared which did
much to relieve the situation. Other
finds of work are planned and some C
re being prosecuted in small way. /.
With view to larger things when | OF
possible A gymnasium is badly ~
leeded. Glasses in sloyd work. car ii
,enters' Work and the various hi
ranches Of industry found in New j,
Britain should be begun both for the