The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-11-03
FIELD DIRECTOR
VISITS KINGSTREE
MISS DAWSON, OF RED CROSS
ASSOCIATION, TALKS ABOUT
ROLL CALL NOV. II.

Miss Susie Dawson, field director of
the American Red Cross, has been in
town in connection with the Red Cross
organization in Williamsburg county
for the Fifth Roll Call, which begins
NovembeA11.
eve are finding the people Of the
South keenly alive to the imperative
necessity for, not only the carrying
on of the present peace program of
the Red Cross, but for its extention,"
said Miss Dawson, "and on that ac-
count We are looking forward to a
generous and enthusiastic response
when the roll is called for those who
stand for the progress of humanity.
"Many people however, still do not
know just what our peace program is.
The Red Cross is chartered as an or
ganization to meet the emergency Of
great national cataclysms or local dis
asters and with the United States at
peace with the world, it is difficult
for some to see just how vitally i'm
portant is the work we are doing.
"The fact is, that the Red Gross
biggest work was outlined for It after
the armistice was signed and the last
gun fired on November IL, three
years ago. The war had ended, but
many of the responsibilities of war
had just begun.
"Take for instance the work we are
doing for our disabled soldiers. In
1919 there were only 5000 of these
boys in hospitals under government
care. In 1920 that number had in
creased to 1880 and in 1921 to 26,-
300. The coming year will doubtless
find the number increased in the same
or greater ratio.
"The Red Cross is spending s10,-
100000 a year to help the ex-service
man and his family. This money is
used in setting machinery in motion
to get him the compensation, or the
hospital treatment, or the educational
opportunities that are righfully his
and which the government is glad to
give if the man can be located and
his claim proven. The home service
section organized in time of war to
serve the family OF the soldier at the
front while bereft of their bread win
ner, is finding new and greater work
to do in extending its service to any
family in the community that is in
need.
"In Williamsburg county you have
trained social worker, Miss Daisy
Warn, employed by the local Red
Cross, and she has rendered service
in time of sickness and death as well
as in time of financial distress. There
are many stories that could be told
ci babies bathed in bed, of small chill
dren whose health has been rebuilt
by the securing of proper nourishment
and care, of other children placed in
school with proper clothing to wear
yes, there is no end to these acts OF
service; but the Red Cross cannot al
ways tell them to the public as they
occur because the first principal of
the Red Cross is it's protection Of the
feelings and self respect of those 1t
can serve. Any man, woman or child
can come to the Greatest Mother with
problem and feel that his or her
misfortunes are kept in all confidence
and held sacred.
Careful and confidential studies
are made of every case, and systemat-
il records kept. Often the travelling
tramp and fake beggar, living on the
mistaken kindness of sympathetic in
dividuals, really need our service more
than any others. The Red Cross So
cial worker will investigate thorough
ly. and show these undesirable citl-
zens the difference between the night
way and the wrong way of getting
their daily bread. If every applicant
for help was sent Immediately to the
Red Cross Social Worker, the public
would be saved from beggars and
tramps, and there would result a real
economy not only in money butin hu-
man life. Giving of money relief is
the lowest form of charity. We must
help people to help themselves. This
is what your Social Service Worker is
trying to do in Williamsburg county.
Each citizen of Williamsburg county
should contribute at Roll Call to keep
this service for the county. 1t would
be a disaster to let it 60 just as the
time approaches when We need it
most. If any one has felt the effect
OF the present financial stress, he
should realize all the more the need
o. keeping the Red Cross Home Serv-
ire tn helm meet the need"