New Britain herald., 1917-01-15
SUNSHINERS DOING
 DEEDS OF KINDNESS
Outline Of Years Work Given at
 Annual Meeting Today

hepOrCS or the excellent WOrk that has been done by the Canonicus branch of the International Sum shine Society, Inc, during the past year were read\ at the annual meeting this afternoon by the record ing secretary, Mrs Eliza s. Caldwell. Not only has the Sunshine society brought rays of sunshine into the homes of the poor and needy and sick, but it has also given generously to the Town Home, the Children's Home and the Home for Blind Babies in Newington. A complete report of the society's activities is herewith printed, as arranged by Mrs. Cadwell:
 At the annual meeting held on Jan. 5, 1916 the two branches of our society were merged into one.
 New bylaws had been drawn up by which the annual meeting was changed from June to January and the date of meetings from the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month to the first and third Mondays.
 The officers that were elected at that time were: Mrs. George Corbin, president; Mrs. w. w. Marshall, vice president; Mrs. John Pinches, treas urer; Mrs. c. F. Erichson, Cores bonding secretary; Mrs. G. A. Caldwell, recording secretary.
 A board of nine directors were elected consisting of the following members: To serve one year: Mrs. E. J. Porter, Mrs. M. H.. Rhodes and Mrs. D. McMillan. To serve two years: Mrs. w. H. Porter, Mrs. Otis Butler and Mrs. E. J. Skinner. To serve three years: Mrs. Joseph Tow CTS, Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Dyson. The officers with these directors constitute a board of managers.
 The year has been one of progress and activity. The Caroline s: Doug lass fund has given us great opportu- mites for carrying sunshine into dark places, and for providing clothing, food and fuel for those in need.
 Under the several committees ap- pointed annually, much work is ac- complished. The hospital committee distributed over 1900 oranges to the patients in the wards, the visits being made weekly.
 The flower committees sent out 138 orders of flowers and potted plants.
 Ten layettes were placed where much needed. These outfits are added to from time to time,. the members making many of the garments.
 There is a committee who looks after the needs of the Blind Babies Home in Pennington. Last spring thirty-five garments were furnished the little ones, and during the summer twelve bloomers and seven rompers were sent them and again in the early winter, twelve more garments were provided.
 There has been great demand this last year for the sick room supplies and wheel chairs. At one time every one of the eleven chairs were in use.
 Much relief work was done in the cold months. Groceries were given out, and several families were supplied with coal at Christmas.
 Small sums of money are given monthly to few very worthy women Checks are sometimes sent to families whose resources have been reduced by long sickness The children of two families were provided With shoes and stockings, one family consisting of five children and the other of six.
 There are three families in which the society takes an active interest, the Town home, the Children's homes. and the Blind Babies home. The Town home was sent ice cream, cake and flowers at Easter. It has become the custom of the society to furnish a tree and entertainments for the in- mates. at Christmas. There were eighty-six inmates to be provided for and each one received an orange, a Christmas stocking, filled with pop corn and candy, and a gift. Christ mas is always looked forward to very eagerly at the Town home, and the
 of ,toi ,1, most thoroughly enjoyed.
 Last spring ten loaves of chocolate cake, made by the members, were sent to the Children's home. During the summer fifteen pants, six bloomers, six overalls, one romper, twenty-four bibs and seven neckties were sent there. These garments were made from rem nants donated by our city and shirt factory.
 Cake was again given these children at Thanksgiving, and at Christmas 12O Christmas stockings filled with candy and popcorn were sent them. Thirty articles were given for the Christmas tree at the Home on Cor bin avenue.
 The six matrons were presented with $3 each as a holiday gift. The Blind Babies home was given twenty Christmas stockings, besides toys. dolls, and books, and two pair of stockings for each child.
 Last Thanksgiving, nine dinners, several baskets of fruits, and flowers were sent out.
 Through the efforts of our lecture committee several very interesting and practical tasks have been given the society
 Early in April, Mrs. Risteen, secre- tary of the Travellers Aid socieety of Hartford, gave a very interesting talk on the work accom- plished by that or ganization $10 were sent to the treasurer of that society.