Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-25
PLAN TO PLAY SANTA
TO BELGIAN KIDDTES
Emergency Aid Raising Christ.
mas Gift Fund for Little
Folk of Antwerp

'nrough the Belgian relief committee Of
tne tne emergency Aid Philadelphians will make
,nis christmas triumphantly happy one for
hundreds Of children in the province of Ant
Ne'P' hcIslum. Mrs. Rayard Henry chair
man NJ the local Belgian relief commit Tee
~ ulr'cting the collection of funds to be sent
10 the little folk, nnatcly fond Of dcmonst ra-
'ohS and beautiful decorations. who have for
more iIan Tour years hePn deprived not only
or simple pleasures. but OF many necessities
or nte Many Of the people are wearing
cIoiheS made of old curtains and sacks. Fac
tories ana stores wore stripped bare by the
Germans
This is chance for all those relatives
and friends OF men and women in service
who have been disappointed because Gov
ernment regulations prevented their sending
hrlStinaS gifts to their loved ones" said
Mrs. Henry. "'rhc American people are so
"NerhoWing with thanksgiving and so eager
TO send some token of this feeling abroad.
Trey cannot @end things to Their own boys
VINO VIII lie we'll clothed. fed and provided
for anyway. Why cant they. then. send
thrir christmas things 10 the little folk in
Beg YIN?
ti"cent visitors to Belgium have been sur
pr'Sod a. tho good showing. made by the
people 'hcrc. II must be remembered that
the BeIE'ans who greet visitors are the few
strong survirors; that the greater sufferers
are not to he seen by the casual visitor.
Ihon. TOO, they are strengthened By the
nervous excitement over the new peace. The
torTi!i" time will be the reaction fer the
strain Of war suffering. | hcievc that in an
other year these brave people will be able
10 take care OF themselves. Bu: his Christi
mas, OF all times our COMMITTEES feels we
should give a., the cheer nossiblc to the lives
that have been barren Of 10y long"
Phiiadelphians have Il specially warm feel
ing FOR the tnhabitants Of Antwerp. which Is
usually tho frat province to greet the visitors
o;c. TIE local Belgian relief committee has
heen sending an ave'agc OF $1,000 n month to
the province for more chan a year This has
helped provide soup and milk for ;hc hIngry
women and orphans. How much the people
have appreciated this help has been shown
in numerous letters from widows and orphans
to tho local committee. Here is Il transa ton
OF ono of the letters, written by a little Bel
gtan girl named Nathalie Hooa 10 the Phla =
delphia committee:
TO our dear little protectors:
Papa. mamma, my little sister and 7 are
so happy that wish to say thank YOU.
Mamma has cried with happiness Thanks
to your great goodness. Oh, dC2r little pro-
tectors, we are able TO eat every day an cgG
and some bacon. which is go good. and now
We Will be better nOurishcd, and papa and
mamma will be no longer sad Thank YOU
thank YOU, little children Of Amnrfca who
have had pity on us: we will never forget
you and we will work well in school"
Voluntary contributions for the Bclgar
Christmas fund are being Seceived at tn,
headquarters 524 Walnut street. The money
VIII be sent directly to the committees
representative in Antwerp in time TO pro
Vide Christmas things for the children.
Yesterday Mr.. and Mrs. James ". Fry
Savr 500 as a Thanksgiving Offering. anu
ihe Monday Sewing club Of Woodbury., ~ j.
SeEt $50 AZ It's contribution toward Belgian
ChriStlnGs.