The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1915-12-24
Collective Activities in City
Bringing Merry Christmas to
Needy Families.
BASKETS ARE DISTRIBUTED
FraternaI Bodies Join Churches
and Charitable Organiza-
lions in LaborS.

Santa Claus. Inc, President. OF the
Christmas Cheer Corporation. Organized
in the District OF Columbia under
charter of December a. 1916.
1t had to come. The Job was getting
too big for one jovial, rotund man, and
he was afraid he would miss some
chimneys. So Santa, this year, Is n
captain of industry, operating in every
home in the District Of Columbia, and
in institutions as well, and so far the
Sherman antitrust law hasn't got him.
Sleighs were too slow. Anyway there
isn't any snow. Bells we're too noisy.
The motor truck has taken the place
Of the sleigh. And instead OF depend
ing upon his own efforts, Santa has en-
listed practically every organization,
every lodge. every society. every church.
every settlement house and every mis-
sion. and thousands of individuals in mis-
gigantic Christmas cheer enterprise.
Behind the Sccncs.
Like all great magnatcs. Santa is not
seen by his workers. But his spirit
presides over the entire project, and
societies. clubs, groups and individuals
are working busily in his name
Every church, for eXampIc Is plan
ming its annual Christmas celebration
An effort is being made this year to
have every church provide for the poor
In It's territory. and. instead Of the orst p
while custom Of giving Slfts to it's own
members, many Sunday schools have
applied to the Associated Charities for
names Of families to whom they might
carry Christmas dinners and other git:s
For the homeless Of the District, the
| Salvation Army. the Gospel Mission and
! the Central Union Mission are giving
| turkey dinners. to he followed by Christ
! mas trees for those children where the
! home Christmas might not be as happy
| as 1t should be
At the Associated Charities volun-
, tccrs are husily working today arrang-
/ ing baskets to be taken to the homes of
! families on that ORGANIZATIONS list and
i'm every case the Christmas dinner viii
| be accompanied by some gift more last
! ing. such as a quantity of coal or cloth
| ing. These gifts are paid for from spe-
! cial contributions to the Christmas fund
and they are In addition to the four
/ teen Opportunities" by which the AS
! ISOLATED Charities. cooperating with
the newspapers of the city. hopes to
| make fourteen homes happy throughout
| the year.
Serving Meals, Too.
! At both the Central Union and the
Gospel Missions turkey dinners will be
served and at the Salvation Army there
| will he a Christmas breakfast in addi-
| ton to the dinner.
! In CnlarGinC the scopc Of his work
| and his force Of helpers Santa Claus
| has not forgotten that he is primarily
! the patron saint of children. One Of his
principal helpers is tho Santa Claus girl
| whose home at 20 Seaton place is piled
| high with gifts for those children whose
names have been furnished through
| charity organizations. or by friends. and
! letters written to Santa Claus.
| Dolls. drums. engines. skatcs. sweat
ers. and everything in T>1fch the child
heart delights are pIied high al the
| Headquarters of the Christ Child So.
ciety. 929 G street awaiting distribution
| among poor children. This yeaE there
are 1000 names on the list to receive
presents
Distributing Guilds.
Miss Mary V. Merrick is in charge OF
this work. and she has been assisted by
Miss Charlotte Campbell, Mrs. James
Gowel. Miss Florence Roach and Miss
A. Ives Scores of dolls were contrib
uted by the doll guild. OF which Miss
| Leta Montgomery is director. Sewing
circles have given large quantities OF
clothing and the American Security and
Trust Company has provided vans fol-
the distribution of the bundles.
Entire Government departments will
celebrate Christmas, other Government
bureaus, business houses. and military
| posts will have community celebrations
l. An unusual celebration will take place
this evening in the office of the chic
clerk OF the Bureau OF Engraving anC