The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-04
MAKE. KIDS HAPPY
Santa Claus VIII Not Overlook
Topeka Children.
Confidential Exchange Will
Have Plenty of Presents.
1T is UP TO YOU TO HELP
Telephone Your Promises to
Miss Adams at Once.
Happiest Day of Year Must Not
Be Neglected Here.
1T is UP TO YOU TO HELP

In wood-shed like houses along the
kaw, in novels facing alleys, in a
hundred varieties of domiciles that
afford not even the meanest necessi-
ties of comfort, children are waiting
for Santa Claus. These youngsters
hundreds of thenl-are daily inquir-
ing of the parents, who cannot pro-
vide themselves with nourishing food,
whether or not the white-beared, red
robed gentleman will find them.
While the parents cannot answer,
pig hearted Topeka takes upon itself
to assure them. Every youngster in
the city whose name and address is
turned into the office of the conf
dental exchange will be remembered
at Christmas time. That is the
definite statement of representatives
from every active charitable society
in the city.
No investigation of any child will
be made by workers. 1t was unani-
mously agreed when friends of To-
peka kiddies met recently in the Of
flee of the confidential exchange, that
such a thing as an undeserving boy
or girl at Christmas time did not ex-
ist- Those friends of the children
decided that no matter what is the
parentage of the tots-or how un(te-
serving those elders may be-the
youngsters will not suffer through it.
Added impetus TO the Christmas
work was given workers cooperating
through the exchange when they en-
tered some of the homes assisted by
local charities, Thanksgiving day.
Food Enough for Once.
This is the first time in the history
of this family when we have had all
we wanted to eat at the same time
one woman who was assisted Thanks
giving day told her visitor This fam
lily was on the records of no charitable
society but the condition in the home
was learned by Miss Mabel Adams,
secretary of the exchange, and report
ed to a church organization.
Another worker came into the home
of an old negro NANNY whose name
had been turned into the exchange.
Have you anything for dinner %
the visitor inquired.
''Ah sho have" the woman assured
her benefactress.
And what have you got2"
"Oh, what's left in the cupboard
from breakfast"
Investigation of the food chest show
ed only a piece of bread and silver
of bologna.
Cases similar to these two were re-
ported by the score and served to
crystalline the determination of work
ers to see that this Christmas genu-
inc cheer penetrates~ the hundreds of
homes that lack it.
Provident Association To Help.
Already the Provident association,
the largest charitable society in the
city, has assured the exchange that
all relief extended by it would go
through the exchange office. Similar
assurances are rapidly coming in from
every other organization individuals
are volunteering assistance as it was
never volunteered before.
Persons all over the city are urged
to report to the exchange the names
and addresses of any children or older
persons who will need assistance
Christmas. The secretary of the eX-
change is also urging all clubs or in
dividuals who intend to help families
to report early to the office SO that no
eleventh hour rush will be necessary
as was the case Thanksgiving day.
Persons who are given names of
families are urged to call upon them
in order to learn the true condition of
the persons and find out what is most
needed.
ITO give a Z year old boy doll. or
to present a girl with a train would
be a tragedy in child life without par
allel,'' Miss Adams declares.
In many families clothing is needed.
Others need food. Some could use
both. But above all. Christmas is the
kiddies' holiday. and charity workers
are making their greatest effort to
reach Topeka's youngsters.