The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-29
Much Good Has Been Ac-
complished by Associa-
ton Workers.
HAVE BIG MEMBERSHIP
Many Movements and Cam
paigns Carried to a Sue
cesSful Finish.
BY EDGAR woRTHINeToN

AS the year 1916 is slowly fading
away and the now year 1917 Is but
a spot on the horizon the taking of
inventories and the general checking
up and reviewing seems universal
The work OF the local Young Mems
Christian Association seems we'll
known TO the people of the city aud
yet the citizens are not fully aCQuaint.
cd with the organization, having met
1t. perhaps, In only one OF its many
sides
The year 1916 opened with much
promise in association affairs and con.
tinued 10 live up to promise and fin.
ishes the year with an even and heal.
thy stride. The year closes with the
largest membership in its history and
the largest membership in the state
which has helped to place Fairmont Oh
Tie map in Y. VI. {. \. corners. In.
der the head Of membership il is
found that about 800 worthy boys and
young men have been taken care of
by men and women Of the city inter.
cstcd in Boy Life and in association.
The present executive force con.
sisting Of James W. Right. general
secretary; George W. Buckley. physi.
cal work secretary. and Edgar Il.
WOrthing, boys work secretary were
in charge for the entire year ami 80
the activities have been planned TO dc.
vClopc as the year progressed.
In the Physical department The GYM
nasiun has been used to u great OK.
tent by the men and boys with about
500 using the floor 1t different times.
Leagues we're conducted in basketball,
indoor baseball and vUlley ball. and
the spirit OF competition was develop
cd to high degree. In the gym.
nasium classes il has been found that
an interest has been shown in appara.
tus work that has never been shown
before. Under the charge of the Phys
ival department comes the bowling
alleys and never before in the history
Oi the association has such interest
been manifested in the sport Of duck
pins and ten pins and during the year
leagues were formed for the Com.
murcial men. Professional men, High
school boys and Church league. Over
two hundred different men have bowl
ed III the leagues. During the fall
season the alleys have been put IN fine
shape and rank with the finest in the
state.
In the surSmcr a baseball league was
run at South Side park. ana tennis
tournament was also conducted at the
same place on the associations four
courts. which were also used great
deal by the members. Swimming
classes were held for ladies' and lG1
took advantage Of the opportunity Of
fered them. great many boys and
men also were taught in the pool.
Under the head Of Boys Work it is
found that an excellent piece OF work
les being done this year in connection
with the All-ROund contest for boys.
which emphasizes the all.round devel-
opment Of the boy, and seeks to also
cooperate with the churches, schools,
and homes. a Boys Work institute
was also held and Mr.. Charles Il.
Drum brought 10 the people of Fair
mont new conception of the needs
Of Boy Life. A Sunday Afternoon
club, Bible classes. Father and Son
banquet, Social evenings. hikes and
trips have done much to bring to the
boys o: FaIrmont realization of the
bigness OF the association program.
\ summer camp was also conducted
for the boys on the Cheat river.
During the year over lis men were
taken care OF in the pormitory and
nearly every one OF these were straug.
ers in the city. They were provided
for and soon made 10 fee! ut home in
Fairmont. The 10 rooms have been
IN great demand oil year and great
many times has found every room full.
Another work Of the association this
year has been to place men who are
unemployed, and because Of the scar.
city of laborers in this section every
man really wanting work has been
located. A Night school was conduct.
cd the first half OF the year hut with
the city Night schools organized II
was thought needless to duplicate.
However, the Night school for foreign
boys will he located at the Y. NJ. c. A.
the first Of the year. The Mems meet.
ing on Sunday afternoons have been
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