The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-03
The Volunteer Relief Association

Tt is only fitting and right, before begin to tell of the manner in which the Volunteer Relief association has used the funds during my term as president of the association, that should give credit to the first preei- dent. Mrs. Powell Noland (Augusta Clsrk) for the splendid organization and the success it has met with. Through her efforts the Volunteer Relief association stands today one of the really important organizations in Birmingham civic life. and 1t was Mrs Noland who carried 1t over the rough places in it's early days and made it largely what 1t Is today"
 The speaker was Mrs. Frank D. Spain, who Is the efficient president ot the Volunteer Relief association and under whose direction the la5 girls and young matrons have marched on to victory in their efforts to be of value to Birmingham's well fare world.
 "The Volunteer Relief association" Mrs. Spain continued, 'is not a so- cial organization as some suppose, but in every sense of the word 8 civic organization. It is true that we often do social things, such as during the semi centennial the Vol unteer Relief association gave a tea for the queens from the 67 coun- ties who attended the centennial, and we acted as hosts to them in other capacities. as we'll as having charge of the floral parade. but that. of course. was prompted largely by the fact that the semi-centenniai was q civic affair. and in all such things we heartily cooperate.
 "The slogan of the Volunteer Re. lief association" Mrs Spain said, i. that we are trying to carry out. is that we are civic philanthroplc and patriotic organization. The associa- ton was organized during the Mexi- can demobilization, and was strictly a patriotic organization, serving the soldiers as the occasion demanded. We started with oriy 25 members, and today we have 125 members erH rolled on our roster. The organiza- ton being eligible only to girls and young matrons. it makes the member ship congeniai. all of us being in terested along the same lines and in the same things.
 Since I was elected president of the Volunteer Relief association last January" Mrs. Spain continued, T have had my hands full, for the DO. sition-is not one which calls for play time but work time, and the endless job of arranging committees and get ting the right people together and all tEat sort of thing requires a great deal of work. We have had the lar gest amount of money this year we have ever had to expend+s3.0 .000-and l think 1t is quite fitting and right that the public should know how the money has been used, as it has been Instrumental in the raising of the funds.
 "In the first place. s1,ooo was given to the travellers Aid which was just on it's last legs and needed financial assistance very much We have given ss5 a month for the free kin- dergarten at Community house and $100 month to the Northside Com mEnity house.
 One hundred we gave to Daddy Armstrong, the policeman over on the Southside, whom everybody loves so much, and who, with his kind heart ed wife, is always doing something to help people who. are in trouble. He brought to our attention many chill dren who had no clothing or shoes. so that they might go to school, and we provided these cases through r'an.
 Small amounts here and there have been distributed by the Volun- teer Relief association" Mrs Spain continued, "and wherever there has been a needy case it has always been cheerfully administered to from our hands.
 "The Volunteer Relief association 1 works entirely through organized charities, and in the Dady' Arm strong case we had not only the facts before us, but Brother Bryan's in- terest in the case, and his recommen- dation that we were using our funds for good purpose in helping 'Dady' Armstrong's little friends.
 we still have $500 on hand. and am glad to say that no case which has ever been brought to our atten- tion has been turned away if it was worthy.
 From the first president of the Volunteer Relief association" Mrs. Spain said, Ion through the Mrs Raymond Jones Marguerite Nabers), Mrs. Jack Parker (Margaret Moore), there has always been splendid spirit of comradeship and good will, each president doing valiant work as the head of the organization. Per sonaIly, I feel very proud of the fact that through my predecessors and the l work our members have done the Volunteer Relief association is now regarded not as a small band of girls working on small lines, but as big | asset to-. the community, called upon | as we are to do big things. It has | made us feel our responsibility. ana |