Omaha daily bee., 1918-12-25
7 OF.
is
p ULS IN c
WITH JOY
Christmas Given Over Almost
Exclusively to Honoring
Soldiers; Generous Civ
ing Marks Holiday.

passed around the Glcside.
For the strangers in the city's gates
and they are many-the hospitality
of the many clubs, and seni-public
associations has been extended that
they, though in new surroundings,
as nearly as possible, may exper-
ience the thrills of yuletde as they
know it in their own homes.
This will be soldiers Christmas.
Rejoicing at the return Of their
loved ones, hundreds Of families will
lavish upon the boys III khaki all the
fondness that hearts made glad by
the end OF the war can express.
In many homes where the soldier
father or son still is io service, hap
piness will reign over his safety
though its full expression may be
delayed until returning armies ar
rive.
Heart Of Omaha Touched.
Omaha has poured out its heart
in gift giving.
Never before in the history Of the
city, though it be wartime, has such
generosity been displayed.
The JOY of giving made habitual
through the year of participation i'll
the war, has resulted in one of the
most glorious of climaxes.
Before, the giving has been for the
nation and its defenders. Now it is
for the defenders and the homes.
Last night in OmahaA this gift
spirit kept its hold until the last shop
door was closed and weary clerks
were left but little to store away.
Think of the happiness that will
result today.
In cottage and mansion alike, this
Christmas will live i'll memory.
Open House Today.
Open house will rule today at the
Y. NJ. c. A., Y. w. C. A., Army and
Navy club, Knights OF Columbus
club house, Jewish Welfare board
rooms, Omaha Athletic club and Red
Cross canteen at the Union station.
The influenza epidemic has done
away with all entertainments and
musicales, but secretaries will be on
hand at each of the above mentioned
quarters to greet strangers and
make them feel at home. Light re-
freshments will be served.
Day for Dinners.
No special program for soldiers
has been arranged because of the
days entertainment offered to most
of them through invitations TO
Christmas dinners in Omaha homes
More invitations for dime;
came in response to the War Camp
Community Services call than We
had men to fill them, so we turned
over he surplus invitations to the
Red Cross canteen corps at the
Union station to extend to soldiers
who may be in the city between
train times on Christmas day." said
Fred S. Williams, director. "The
hostesses expressed themselves de-
lighted with the plan"
Privileges of the Omaha Athletic
club will be turned over to 800 SOL
diers Christmas morning at 1OI
O'clock Harry Tukey and J. Clarke
Colt will act as hosts. From 20
o'clock to noon the boys will use the
swimming tank. Aquatic races an
other sports will be featured. The
gymnasium is not yet open A
regular Christmas dinner with ali
the trimmings will then be served IN
the main dining room. Club mem,
bers will be served in the balcony
and grill. The Fort Omaha band
will play
An open fire in the big fire.
place, victrola music, candy max
ing parties and light refreshments
will be provided for the woman
away from home, all day, at the Y.
w. c. A. Miss Eta Pickering gen
eral secretary, and Miss Lora
Molby will be hostesses. Two large
Christmas trees and a quantity OF
holiday greens decorate the buiit-
ing.
Secretaries from the Knights OF
Columbus will be at railroad sta
tions to welcome all men to the
club house at Twenty-hrst ard
Dodge streets, where all privileges
of the club will be extended. The
Y. NJ. c. A. and Jewish Welfare
board rooms in the Lyric building
will be open as usual.
A full force of Red Cross can
teen workers will be on hand a,
the canteen rest room in the Union
station. Gifts for all soldiers pass
ing through the city will be pro-
vided.