Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-11-21
DOLLAR CHRISTMAS
! FUND FOR DESTITUTE
BELGIAN CHILDREN
No Christmas Ever Brought Such a
Call for the Christmas Spirit
as This.

A call to all Americans! No lit
tie nation in the worlds history has
been more previously stricken than
Belgium, yet no people can raise
their heads more proudly from the
dust. The crown of thorns is still a
crown! No money contribution can
atone for the loss of Louvain and a
score of fair Belgian cities lately ra-
diant with the splendor and glory Of
centuries; no money can compensate
for the loss of life, the homes ruin
ed, the families scattered, the chill
dren dying But there is one great
Christian task which money can ac-
complish and with your aid will ac-
complish-the adequate feeding of
the children of Belgium. The need
is Observation-Disclosures and indis-
putable. Under existing arrange
ments one-third of soldiers ration
just enough to keep body and soul
together-is now served daily to all
necessitous persons in Belgium.
Roughly there are about five million
Of them. The children's plight is
worst of all and it is to secure them
one square meal day-served at
the school-that the Dollar Christ
mas Fund is now working in cooper
alton with the Commission for Re-
lief in Belgium which this year, as
in the two previous years, has con-
sented to administer our receipts
with special attention to the human
itarian object we have in view.
Mr.SW L. Honnold, Director of the
Commission for Relief in Belgium,
who has made complete inspection
and study in Belgium of conditions
of the country declares frankly. that
the children of Belgium cannot grow
to healthy maturity unless they are
! provided with more food than is
now supplied to them; Mr.. Percy s.
Bullen, the Secretary of the Dollar
Christmas Fund, who has lately re-
turned to New York after interview
ing members of the Belgian Govern
ment at LIE Havre, France, makes
precisely similar report. The Bel
gian people, scourged, bruised, brok-
en- and dripping with blood, with
possibly still greater heights
of sacrifice and martyrdom yet to at
tain, are powerless, for the third
year in succession they turn with
tear-dimmed eyes to America and I
do not believe they will turn in vain.
For the third year also have con-
sented as treasurer of the Dollar
Christmas Fund to make a direct
and personal appeal.
The immensity of the task of war
relief may discourage us sometimes,
but we know from past experience
that by concentrating our efforts
upon one definite feature great and
beneficent results have ensued. In
1914 our fund sent Christmas ship
to Belgium laden with food and
clothing; last year we sent 100000
pairs of children's shoes; this year
the greatest task of all awaits US
to help the commission provide the
school children with one square
meal day.
1t is not pleasant duty for three
years in succession to appeal to ones
friends, neighbors and fellow coun-
trymen for money, no matter how
good the object may be, but this
cause, we feel, is one which should
find a very warm response in the
Warts Of all Americans doubly bless
1 in their isolation and detachment
&pm the vortex of horrors and
bodshed and agony of the battle
MS in Europe. Even If you have
II to every other fund we beg
the name of humanity to as
oSthe Christmas Fund for Desti-
aSBelgians. Help to send Christ
ckift worthy of America.
stl Dollar Christmas Fund is in
tie sympathy with every other
the Fin behalf of Belgian destitute
to 7 ffers from other appeals only
intS sense that the total sum re-
ed will be forwarded, as spec
Slristmas contribution from the
M. of this country to the desti-
nfpeople of Belgium, an express
ma sympathy with sorrow from
re&ople to another and a tangi-
an Foof that Christmas goodwill
ind N these days of strife and
TO led has not disappeared from
Hers ask you therefore with