New Britain herald., 1918-01-14
MRS. CORbIN HEADS
 SUNSHINE SOCIETY
Annual Meeting of Canonicus Branch Held at Y. ". C. A.

society was held this afternoon at the Y. W. c. A. The report of Mrs. G. A. Caldwell, recording secretary, showed a very successful year.
 The election Of officers was held and the following were re- elected: Presl- dent Mrs. George W. Corbin; vice. president Mrs. Harry Thompson; re- cording secretary. Mrs. George A. Cad well; corresponding secretary, Mrs. c. F. Erickson: treasurer, Mrs. John Pinches; directors. Mrs. George L. Damon, Mrs. E. F Gaffney and Mrs. Fl B. Proudman
 The report of Mrs. Caldwell follows:
 Another year has just drawn to close, a year full Of work and rich in opportunities for service. The year 1917 will never be forgotten in the worlds history for the great nations of the world, together with smaller ones, have been engaged in a terrific struggle throughout the year.
 The memberssof this society have been doing their bit in many mays during this great crisis in the wrold's affairs. The three Ss. sacrifice, sub stitute and save. mentioned in re- cent magazine, have become the key note of our daily life. Is it not real sacrifice to spend from three to five days each week at the Red Cross rooms, especially during the warm weather as some of our members have done? Others have worked for shorter periods and work has been taken into the homes Knitting, sew ing, and making surgical dressings have become our pastimes. At the first meeting in September, it was reported that 200 articles of clothing had been made for the Red Cross dur ing the summer. One evening this winter 15 members presented them selves for work at the Red Cross rooms.
 We have played our part in the conservaton of food, by having wheat less days, meatless days and in some cases sweetless days. And we have saved, saved in many ways heretofore unthought of, and we have become proud of our thrifty manner of living But the war has not occupied all our attention, much has been accom- plished in other ways. Burdens have been ifted and the sunshine of happi ness has penetrated many dark plaaes. The several committees appointed annually have been most faithful in the performance of their duties "Tbe flower committee has sent out 04 orders of flowers and plants and on Rose Day 7 bouquets were given to the sick and shut-ins. Hospital committee has distributed nearly 1,250 oranges to the ward pa tients.
 The layette committee has given out eight complete outfits besides 52 articles of clothing.
 "There has been great demand this l last year for the sick room supplies and wheel chairs; at one time every l one of the 12 wheel chairs were in use.
 Nearly 100 calls have been made upon the sick, the shut-ins and the poor.
 l There is a committee which visits ! the children's ward at the hospital. l She anuses the children with pictures, 1 books and stories. She presented the ! ward with an American flag which l has been flying to the breeze all the fall but now it is hanging in the ward for the children to enjoy. 1 "There is an Erwin Homo commit tee which vists the ladies and bright 1 ems many lonely hours.
 l The committee for the Blind 1 Babies Home in Pennington, reports 1 the needs of the children. Twice dur 1 ing the year shoes and rubbers have l been provided which amounted to 1 $43.74. Last spring 30 garments made 1 at our sewing were sent there. l "The Investigating committee visits l homes and reports cases of need. | Interest is taken in the Children's S 1 Home; clothing, cake and ice cream 1 are occa sionally sent there. Several quarts of jelly made by one member 1 was given the home last fall. At 1 Christmas, welI-fiIled stockings were 1 distributed among the 113 children, l and the six matrons were given $3 l each as a holiday gift.
 "A dance and whist party was given last February which netted the so-
 ciety s1o6.
 At one of our meetings early last year, Mrs. Kreiger. a returned mis-
 sionary from Africa, gave a most in-
 teresting talk of her work and ex-
 periences in the dark continent.
 At another meeting Miss Hamrick,
 the visiting nurse, gave an excellent
 account of her work. Twice during
 the year the state president has been
 with US
 At Easter cakes were sent to the 1 Boys Home. and cake and ice cream to the Town Home.
 While the military companies were
 occupying the armory, ice cream was
 sent them once for Sunday dinner
 Last Thanksgiving Is dinners were
 sent out to worthy families. Judging
 by the well filled baskets one would
 never imagine that the high cost of
 living had even touched New Britain. These dinners consisted of chicken,
 potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, bread
 can of condensed milk, one pound
 sugar, one-half pound butter, tea l apples, grapes oranges, dates and candy. Nine baskets of fruit and , flowers were sent to the sick and the P aged. Six dozen cup cakes were given