The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1916-05-11
PUBLIC IS ASKED TO AID
Organization Is Held to Be One of the
Most Efficient in the Country and
Work Done Fully Justifies Claim
Upon Purses of the People.

"What Happened in Kenosha" is
the name of a booklet mailed to list
of public spirited citizens by the As
sociated Charities on Saturday. In
this booklet is described the four years
of splendid work which did so much to
alleviate suffering in Kenosha, and
which has been such wonderful force
in converting non-supporting families
into self supporting assets to the city.
With the booklet went letter from
Charles r. Jeffrey, chairman of the
finance committee Of the Associated
Charities of Kenosha, in which it was
stated that the Associated Charities
OF Kenosha today, for the first time
in it's history, is without funds. Up to
the present time the Charities has been
supported entirely by the contributions
of two hundred and eighty-one gener-
Gus hearted citizens of Kenosha. Two
hundred and eighty-two out of thirty
is the hope of the Charities organiza-
tion that the educational campaign
which they are carrying on at present
will give a much larger number an
opportunity to share in this work.
The organization is distinctly an as
set to the city, and it is its aim and
object to enlist the interest of as many
people as possible, rather than to de-
pend upon large contributions from
small number of people.
When the idea Of organizing the
Charities of Kenosha first made it's
appearance four years ago, many people
said, 'Why do we need an Associated
Charities in Kenosha. There is no
poverty here" but it was quickly
demonstrated that Kenosha was no
longer village where there was no
poverty. During its first year of ex-
istence, theAssociation located two
hundred and eighty-fve families in dis
tress. Workers paid ninteen hundred
and fifty eight visits to these families
Kenosha, even at that date, had be-
come an industrial center and as the
city has grown, the need of more
organized charity work has increased
with great rapidity.
Is, industrial conditions in Kenosha
were at their worst. Factories were
closed, men in great numbers were UNI
able to get work, and it was at that
time that the Associated Charities
proved most fully its usefulness as a
factor In meeting the inevitable con-
ditions of the modern city. Everybody
who has been familiar with the work
has marveled at the efficiency with
which the organization has attacked
its problems.
1t has been successful in uniting the
various agencies in the city for the
alienation Of suffering and for the
permanent cure of distress Doctors,
lawyers, grocers, butchers, and all the
various organizations of the city
which have taken an interest in these
matters have all combined to make the
work of the Associated Charities
efficient.
The wonderful thing about the work
of the organization is the fact that it
does more than simply provide food
and clothing for the people who are
unable to get them; it goes farther.
II takes families which have unfortu-
nately fallen into bad circumstances
and by following them up month after
month, and even sometimes year after
year, converts them into self support
ing, self respecting units Of the com
munity. A little thought will bring
home what this means to the city. 1t
means that some factory is getting the
regular, efficient work of a good work
man who might not be in condition to
work were it not for the Associated
Charities. 1t means that the man s
family is living in comfort. 1t means
that his children are going to school
1t means that the grocer and butcher
are selling food and getting paid for it.
tt means that the landlord is getting
his rent regularly each month. All
along the line the work of the Asso-
ciated Charities makes for better
greater city.
In one winter, for example. the
Associated Charities of Kenosha pro-
cured permanent employment for
seventy-four persons and temporary
employment for ninety-one. The fame
of the Kenosha organization has
spread throughout the country and
many people in authority say that it is
without question the most efficient or
ganization of its kind in the state of
Wisconsin, and in many respects the
finest in this country.
Those who wish to make their con-
tributions may address them to
Charles 7. Jeffrey, chairman of the
finance committee, Associated Chart
ties, Kenosha.