Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-04-30
AN APPEAL TO THE HEART

When the people of Perth Amboy through
their encouragement and support, sanctioneu
the establish ment OF a home for aged people
here they assumed a great responsibility IL was
not a matter to be gone into lightly but having
gone into it and encouraged old people to give up
their last few dollars with the assurance that
q permanent home would be provided where
they might spend their closing days In peace
Il is I'D to the city to see that the promise IS
made good.
There is no finer sentiment nor a more
worthy cause than to care for the aged and In
Arnned, especially those who have no one upon
whom they can depend when their period OF
,,sef,lness is over. 1t was, indeed, a
able spirit that inspired the founders of the
Home for the Aged in this city and once the
inskitution was thoroughly established those who
had a mart in making it a reality had a right to
expect the public would see that itswas properly
maintained.
That the Home for the Aged in this city is
rnt being properly maintained at the present
time 10 evident to all who will take the trouble
to inspect the present home in High street OF
ASCERTAIN the facts in regard to its financial con-
dition. It is evident that something must De
done, and that right speedily.
In the first place, new quarters must be Sc
cured without further delay. The present build
ing in High street is entirely unsuited for such
n purpose as it Is now used. 1t is In a most
diIapidated condition. How fifteen inmates can
be cared for there is beyond comprehension.
Realizing the inadequacy of the Home those IN
charge Of the management bought a new prop
erty on Rector street, between Smith and Mar
ket streets. This is q large brick building OF the
colonial type with ample yard room Tor adol-
tfons The house, however, contains no modern
improvements. Also certain alterations nave
got to be made in order to suitably accommo-
date such a large number of old folks. TO put
this newly purchased property in condition IL Is
estimated will cost $4,000.
But this is not all. Once comfortably housed
In the new quarters the Home must be main
tanned In proper shape. Some Of the old people,
al they linger on from year to year, need a
great deal of care. They become almost as heip-
Tess aa children and 1t is no small task TO iooK
after their wants and see that they are COM
tortabIy provided for. 1t is enough for a matroh
TO see that the house is kept in order and the
meals are prepared. 1t is quite essential that d
trained nurse and possibly an assistant be con-
stantlv In attendance. An atmosphere of warmth
cheerfulness and contentment should pervade
the whole place.
But all this can only be brought about
through the hearty support of the pubic. NO
one can doubt the worthiness of the cause
neither can the immediate needs be questioned
The Home for the Aged has not made any great
demands on the public thus far. 1t has strug-
sled along leaving the field of solicitation 10
other more or less worthy charities. The time
has come, however, when the Home Tor the
Aged must insist upon recognition. Its very
existence is at stake. The thought OF these M
teen inmates. more or less helpless In their Ole
age, being thrown mercilessly upon the pubic
after they have given up their money to enter
the Home thereby placing their confidence II
the people of this community as to their future
must arouse within the breast of every sympa'
thetic person the desire to do at least something
to help meet the situation and see the instltu'