Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-27
LOCAL BAND OF HELPERS
| OF THE RED CROSS MEET
Large Attendance and Enthusiasm
Marks First Session, Following
the Summer Recess.
Miss Boardman Extends Word Of
Appreciation Of Past Services.
Plan Work for Winter.

With larger attendance than at any
previous gathering Of the organization,
the Red Cross helpers Of the District Of
Columbia met today for the first time
Following the summer recess. in the
parish hall Of st. Johns Episcopal
Church, 18th and H streets northwest.
Last winter this organization Of help
ers, who have banded to assist the
American Red Cross Society in its ef-
forts to alleviate the suffering in the
war-stricken countries of Europe, pro-
vided $4,000 worth of hospital garments.
and also collected considerable money
for use in relief work. This season the
helpers hope to excel this record
Miss Mabel T. Boardman, chairman
Of the national relief board of the
American Red Cross. extended word
of appreciation as the helpers started
on their task. Miss Boardman told of
the activities Of the Red Cross in the
war field of Europe during the summer
months, when the helpers discontinued
their weekly meetings by reason of the
fact that most of them were out of the
city. She told of the ever-increasing
demands for assistance that are being
received from all sections Of the war
zone.
Strict Neutrality Maintained.
Miss Boardman explained that in it's
efforts to alleviate suffering the Amer
lean Red Cross ever has maintained
strict neutrality. Gifts Of clothing, sup
plies and money. which it receives
without designation as to the use to
which they are to be put, are sent to
the points where the need is greatest.
Where contributors designate the coun-
try to which they want their gifts
sent and the use to which they desire
them to be put, the Red Cross sees
that the wishes OF such donors are
carried out In every detail.
Miss Boardman said that with the
approach of the winter season suffer-
ing in Europe would increase day by
day and that the task which confronts
the American Red Cross and other or =
CARNATIONS doing like work would be-
come correspondingly greater. She
urged upon the helpers the necessity
Of correcting an erroneous impression
that has gained some circulation in
this country that the Red Cross is not
sending any more supplies to Europe.
The purpose Of today's meeting was
to organize the units into which the
band of helpers is divided and plan the
work to be undertaken during the COM
ing winter.
Method Of Local Work.
Each unit consists of ten members
and a chairman or head helper. Once
each week these chairmen report at the
headquarters Of the helpers in the par
ish hall of st. Johns Church and re-
ceive two bundles of cut-out hospital
garments. each of which contains the
necessary parts Of Ave garments. To
each of the helpers in the unit one of
these unsewn garments Is given. Dur
ing the ensuing weeks sewing is done
and the following Wednesday the COM
pleted garments are brought to the
headquarters by the head helpers. who
then obtain a fresh supply of work.
The garments are cut by professional
cutters. who are employed by the band
Of helpers. in order that they will be
properly shaped and will conform to
numbered sizes.
The Red Cross helpers organization
was formed in September, 1914. Mrs.
Allen Boyd of 14os 21st street north
west is its president, and Mrs. B. c.
Saxton of 1922 Calvert street is treas
urer. Mrs. 4. G. McClintock of 1927
18th street is secretary. Mrs. McClin-
took was enthusiastic today over the
large attendance at the initial meeting
of the second season of the band Of
helpers.