The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-11-25
Dear Friend:

Dear Fflenu: .
Having been appointed chairman
of the Community Chest Drive, which
starts on Monday, November goth, l
deem it appropriate at this time to
make statement to the citizens of
Minot, upon whom it devolves, more
than upon the chairman or anyone else
actively connected with this move
ment, to make it success.
1t was not without some misgiving
that | accepted the honor and the re-
sponsibility of acting as chairman in a
movement that means so much to our
city, morally and materially, as does
this Community Chest Drive. There
was one inducement, however, that
caused me to accept the appointment,
aside from desire to help in very
worthy undertaking, and that was a
proper estimate Of the good citizen
ship of our splendid city. Knowing
that the people of Minot are always
ready and willing to do their share
in any worthy cause, has given me
confidence that in this great work we
shall not be disappointed.
In the preliminary work that has
already been done for launching the
Drive let me say that prospects could
hardly be more re-assuring for sue
cess. However, we must not be mis-
led by over confidence, as the goal that
has been set cannot be reached ex-
cept by good effort on the part of
all of us. So far the work has been
only pleasant, and | feel confident
that as it advances harmony and CO.
operation will prevail in every way.
Purpose of Drive
While the purpose of this Drive for
the Community Chest is doubtlessly
quite generally understood few
words of explanation may not be out
Of place.
Suffering and want is worldwide.
In some parts Of the world, particu-
larly in several of the central Euro
pean countries, millions of men, wo-
men and children are in dire need of
the bare necessities of life\- food,
clothing and shelter-at the present
time. Untold numbers are daily
starving to death, Or dying from ex-
posure; babes wither away in the
arms of helpless mothers; the land
is strewn with dead and dying; a
spectacle that has caused Herbert
Hoover to exclaim: "the Near East
presents the most desperate situa-
tion in the world" Those countries
are now paying the great price of the
war, not in money but in more vital
sacrifices than can be measured by
dollars and cents.
When we consider the desperate
condition of those millions of people.
Of entire nations, once prosperous and
happy, facing slow and painful eX-
tinction, we cannot avoid eXulting over
our better lot here in the good old U.
S. A., the most blessed land in the
world. Can we pass this Thanksgiv-
ing Season by, satisfied in our own
negligence towards the deserving
needy, whether found in other parts
of the world or near to our homes?
Our first duty is naturally to rem
der assistance to those nearest to US
who deserve it. The needy in our
town state and in our own city are
entitled to first consideration, and for
their assistance we are maintaining
from year to year organizations Of
relief. There is room for great
deal of elmer mission" work right
here in the city Of Minot. Families
and individuals are in circumstances
so deplorable as not only to be worthy
of assistance but demanding it. To
render all possible assistance to these.