Gilpin observer., 1917-12-13
A RED CROSS
CHRISTMAS


that great national purpose will be
served by having membership In the
Red Cross almost as universal as cit
izenship.
Altho pledged as a nation to the
national purpose during this great
crisis, 1t will not be granted to the
majority OF us TO play part in the
fighting branches of our country's
service. All OF us. however, can be
identified with the Red Cross, which
will be big enough and strong enough
to carry some Of the burden for our
soldiers, sailors and Allies, II each
of US be an active unit therein.
We want a Red Cross In this coun.
try of 100000 members. We want
the strength and support that will
grow from this army Of workers. We
have set Christmas time to attain
this goal, because we believe that the
Red Gross and Christmas spring
from the same spirit of love- and
we wish to bring together those two
great symbols of mercy. sacrifice and
cheer. On this, our first Christmas
In the war, we want the Red Cross
symbol to add, not a spirit of dejec-
ton, but the thought of serious pur-
seriousness of great, humanitarian
work nobly done.
The local Branch is only, one of
thousands of Red Cross units scatter
ed throughout the length and breadth
of forty-eight loyal states, each help
ing our armies to win toward the
goal of universal liberty. During the
past month, we were able to COM
plete and send off the following gar
ments: Is sweaters, 10 pr socks, 5
pr. wrstlets. 6 mufflers, helmets,
~ pr. pajamas, 1S bed shirts, ~
IL hot water bag COW
ers, IL wash cloths, 9 baby quilts
Cfor Belgian orphans) 3 splint pill
lows, and wipes. Every woman
who has helped in the smallest way
to make this splendid showing has
a comfortable, warm glow round her
heart every time she hears the army
mentioned. love to think that the
small things which l have knitted
with such laborious effort, are per-
haps. even now. being worn by some
mothers dear "Laddie" who is "Over
there" giving his all that my own be
loved country may be preserved
safe habitation of liberty for me and
my loved ones. Can you visualize
these brave boys whose need calls
to US across bloody battle fields and
stormy seas, and sit with folded
hands or waste your time on So
called piece of fancy work? A bit
of embroidery or crochet Is a thing
of beauty in the piping times of
peace. but it is criminal thing,
heinous thing, II through its exist
ence, it deprives our men Of neces-
sary comforts.
We are deeply grateful. and
speak now for the government, for
every woman who has already helped
but there are still not enough to sup
ply the terrible demand. We need
women. and more women, to knit, to
sew. to roll bandages. You can work
in the room on Main street any We'd
nesday or Friday afternoon, or you
may take sewing or knitting home, II
that Is easier for you. The gauze
room Is open every afternoon, from
1870 to 4:3O with Mrs. II. II. Lake as
supervisor. The teachers are Mrs. w
o. Jenkins, Mrs. r. r. Demeter and
any one of these fer your hours OF
service. It is not enough that some
OF US work. The nation needs each
and every one, you and me and our
neighbors. It has been well said
that that Army will win which has
tho Btaunchest people behind It."
Our boys are far from home; farther.
much farther, than are any others Of
the soldiers on the far-Hung battle
line. We who love them are power
less to minister to them. Not the
most vivid Imagination can suggest
theif needs to us. The moment may
come. when an enemy shell or Bome
still more horrible weapon, may strike
them and NOW them down. All the
concentrated love OF thousands OF
mothers and fathers would willingly
succor them. but this shall be denied
us. Home and loved ones are thous-
ands Of miles away from their yearn-
ing eyes. But that is when cur Red
Cross acts. Even before he needs It..
help is there waiting for each Of
them. Brave, sweet women will put
upon his tortured body the garments
which you have made; they will bind
his wounds with the bandages Of your
rolling and they will whisper to him
the comfort you long to say and can