The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-07-08
Good Will In Need

The Good viii Homes situated on
the bank OF the Kennebee, eight miles
from Skowhegan, nine miles from
Waterville. since opening in 1889 with
four boys have aided over thirteen
hundred boys and girls. This year
from the annual report of the pres
ent Supervisor w. p. Hinckley, was
read the following statement found in
the first annual report OF the associa-
ton written by George w. Hinckley,
Founder of the Homes, in 1890:
THE Association was organized
October 5. 1889, so that this report
covers only three fourths of a year
When the farm was paid for. four
boys had found home in Good VIII
Cottage. The cottage contained sew
enteen beds. each provided with a
pillow and two wooden blankets, two
long tables. about twenty chairs.
few cooking utensils and a limited
supply OF dishes This was the sum
total OF our possessions. We had no
stock on the farm. no farming imple-
ments. and but few conyeniences any
where"
Today Good VIII is in possession Of
700 acres without lien, an endowment
of about $500 900, ten homes for boys.
and three for girls, two school build
ings, library of $4,000 volumes.
and nine other buildings, a prosperous
farm and farm buildings which supply
the homes with milk and vegetables.
Through the period of War. Good VIII
struggled against closing the homes
for the sake of two hundred and
twenty boys and Girls and their needs,
consequently, at the time the armis-
tice was signed. debt of sixty thous-
and dollars had been incurred. This
debt without extra assistance in the
offices through the untiring energies
of George w. Hinckley, was cleared
before the close of the year 1919. 1t
is found, however, that unless more
numerous and larger contributions are
made at once the maintenance of the
work as it is at present, although pre-
senting only the essential for good
training and education, will result in
another as large or larger debt, Grip
ping the future of Good Will One
hundred and seventy-nine boys and
fifty-one girls have been assisted at
the homes this year. OF this num-
Der one hundred and twenty were
from Maine. The cost for Maine boys
and girls alone has been at the min
imum $4,000. In the State of Maine
there are about seven hundred con-
tributors to the work of the associa-
ton. Good viii connot afford to
campaign. Every contribution to-
ward the education of any student is
six dollars and this amount is paid
for only one boy at this time. The
average amount paid is from two to
four dollars week. while about fifty
are entirely educated through the
friends of Good VIII who believe in,
and aid the work.
"The Good Will Idea" stands for
just these things: Home, Education,
Discipline, Industry, Recreation, Re-
ligion. Good viii is proud of her
past made possible by the friends of
the work. and for the future she Is
anxious that a greater service may be
possible, not curtailment OF the
well established plan. The endow-
ment Is not enough to take care OF
the work until 1t has reached the mil
lion dollar mark.
The question Is, shall the work be
curtailed, some Of the homes closed
to reduce expenses, or will the people
of Maine, without a campaign through
their friends, their clubs, their
churches, help now in the work Of the
endowment, in order that Good Will,
for the sake of boys and girls who are
eager to prepare for good citizenship,
may Garry On"