The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-26
MONEY COMING
IN To PROVIDE
CIFTSFOR KIDS
Argus Santa Claus Committee Pre-
pairing for Annual Pilgrimage
to Homes of the Poor.

The Rock Island Elks' lodge has
sent In the first contribution TO Tie
Argus Santa Claus fund this year.
The lodge gave SIS. The Elks
have helped the fund every year
since it was started a dozen years
ago. Most of the fraternal organ
trations OF the city are annual con-
tributors and it is expected they
win be heard from this year as
usual.
The work of The Argus Santa
Claus is so well known that further
reference 10 II would be unneces-
ssry but for the fact that the pub
liz must be reminded of its obliga-
ton TO the poor youngsters OF the
city at Christmas time. The Ar
gus Santa Claus fund is dispensed
bv a committee Of prominent ladies
of the city. They devote several
weeks TO the prelim:naries Incl
dent to the allotment and distribu-
ton OF gifts In the homes of, the
Rock Island poor. The Argus goes
to the people for the money requir-
ed TO finance the buying of the
gifts.
1t is likely that there will be
more children to take care of the
coming Christmas than in any year
since the Santa Claus fund was
started. This is due to the unem-
ployment situation. AS The Argus
has stated in other years, the Santa
Claus fund should not be confused
with the organized charity work
carried on in the city. The money
contributed TO The Argus Santa
Claus is used for the specific pur-
pose Of buying gifts for children
in the city whose parents are not
able to provide these cheering re-
membranes. Where a family is in
need of food, clothing or fuel the
relief is provided through the reg
ular organized agencies.
The work of The Argus Santa
Claus is carried on as far as pos
sible without embarrassment to the
favored families: Neither The Ar
gus or the good ladies who devote
Their time to the task of selecting
and distributing the gifts are seek
ing any public glory for their eff
forts. Their compensation comes
in the satisfaction of knowing that
rot single child will awaken in
Rock Island on Christmas morning
without having some remembrance
Of the season to greet him.
The Argus Santa Claus commit
tee investigates every case before
q home is placed on the list to be
remembered at Christmas. Hun
dreds of children every year write
to The Argus Santa Claus Many
OF these letters come from homes
where the parents are we'll able 10
provide gifts for their children and
would not accept presents from the
Santa Claus committee. The com
mittee provides gifts only after
learning the true financial condi-
ton of the family and after the
parents are willing that the COM
nittee take care of the youngsters
OF the household.
The Argus Santa Claus fund
functions only IN the interest of
the poor youngsters, of Rock Is7
land. those who would be denied
the joys of Christmastide were it
not for this kindly intervention.
The committee obtains the sex and
age of every child to whom gifts
are sent, and the committee tries as
FAR as possible to meet the desires
Of the little folks in providing
them with the kind of gifts they
most hope for. The Santa Claus
committee invites the cooperation
OF the public il making it's work
thorough. If you happen to know
OF family You think needs the
aid OF the committee you are re-
quested to forward the name and
address TO The Argus.
Every year the lists OF names on
The Argus Santa Claus committee
change. Families who last year
We're helped through the fund this
year may not need assistance.
while families that last Christmas
we're prosperous this year may be
IL such condition that their little
ones are facing a cherries Christ
mas and they would be glad to have
The Santa Claus committee help
them.
The Argus hopes there will be a
generous response to the appeal
Ior funds this year. for there is no
aouDt that more money will he
needed this coming Christmas
NAN in any preceding year. Give
.nat you are able to give, whether
De 81 or 800. You may be sure
u one thing, and that is that the
noney will be we'll spent 1t all
goes towards cheering the hearts
" the poor kiddieS