The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-27
SOCIETY NEWS and EVENTS
Campaign for the Blind

N WING for the benefit of the
 q blind people of Birmingham.
 half the profits of reading, 10 years ago, Miss Helen Keller was the originator of the Birmingham So- ciety for the Blind.
 This society has since been carried on in a small way by 25 members. IL is now the purpose of the society to greatly extend it's membership, ana thereby raise a fund sufficiently large to be of real help and benefit ito those who sit in darkness"
 For this purpose a banquet was given yesterday at the clubrooms or the Business and Professional Women, at which plans were developed for the accomplishment of this undertaking.
 The officers of the association are' Miss Mary Craven, president; Mrs. J. A. Montgomery, first vice president; MT. w. D. Johnson second vice presi- dent: Miss Lila Chapman, third vice president; Miss Bernice Meyer, .reas- urer, and Miss Clara Bell Senn, secre- tary.
 At yesterdays meeting, Mrs. Caro- line Engsfeldt told of the four differ- ent kinds of type which are used in the books for the blind. and stated that all future books in thet Birmingham
  ed in the revised Braille system. She said:
 Birmingham has now mo books in this revised Braille. The associa- tion's first aim is, therefore, to pro- vide "a splendid library of such books, as this will supply definite need and provide recreation for many people in many communities. The government makes no charge for postage on these hoo c and a large sum of money will be re- quired for their purchase. As instances: "A Book of Nursery Rhymes" in Braille costs $93O, and How to Make Baskets" sS. Novels, such as Jean Webster's Dear Enemy" cannot be purchased for less than s16.S0, and one copy of Theodore Roosevelts Letters to His Children" will cost $12.50.
 Another definite aim of the assocla- tion is to provide instruction Tor pilnc people. and especially children, in the Birmingham district. It is believed that there are many children through out the state who are unable to avail themselves of the education provided at our state school at Talladega be- cause of lack of transportation ex- penses and proper clothing. It IS the desire of the association to aid any such children.
 'sBirmingham has been OFFICIALLY named the southern depository for Braille books for the blind people or the south. Every day at the public library calls for books are received from blind people from South Caro- lima to Texas"
 Dr. MacSporran spoke very touch ingly of the needs of the souls of the people cut off from the things which bring happiness. diversion and joy to everyday, life. "Only those who have spiritual vision can appreciate the lonely condition of these people, He told feelingly of a blind organist whom he met in Scotland, and lovely music he drew from the organ, as he passed his fingers, like a caress, oyer the keys.
 He told the women of the associa> tion not to feel that they were asking a favor of people in soliciting aid from them, as everyone was glad to have an opportunity to give to such a splendid undertakings @A ,
 large rainobw had beer drawn on the wall at one end 61 the room, of which a replica is to be placed in the public library, on which each week will be shown the progress of the work accomplished.
 Miss Craven, the president of the society, in the following address, told of the significance of the rainbow in the campaign for membership and the assignment of workers. She said:
 Some of you may have been won dering. about our rainbow over here.