The Washington times., 1922-12-25
FELLOWS
GIVE CHEER
To 1000
Pour Thousands Of Gifts Into
Homes Of Needy In
Washington.
CONTINUED from First PageD

whom are In absolute misery, have
tasted the Christmas cheer granted
their more fortunate neighbOrs
through the agency of the Good
Fellows.
In practically every instance
Christmas dinners have been pro-
vided. In many cases food suffi-
cient for several weeks has been
given. In every case where there
are children Santa Claus has made
his visit. no matter how humble
the home, through a Good Fellow.
In many homes fuel has been pro-
vided to keep the house warm
during the remainder OF the winter.
Clothing has BEEN given to those
most in need. Hundreds Of pairs
Of shoes and stockings have been
left for needy children, and for
their parents as well. Rent has
been paid and mortgage payments
met in a number Of cases where
loss of the home was threatened.
Work has been found for the job
less.
Find Joy in Sacrifice.
All in all, Washington IL a far
better city today than 1t was a
week ago. Into the homes of the
unhappy. happiness and renewed
courage have geen brought. Many,
more fortunately situated In life,
have found the Joy and peace Of
mind which comes through sacri-
fices made to help others.
The spirit of kindliness and
brotherly love displayed by the hun
dreds Of Good Fellows in every walk
of life and in every part Of the city.
must exert q powerful influence for
good. not only upon those who are
directly benefited, but upon those
who merely behold.
In addition TO the carrying OF
Christmas gifts to the homes Of the
needy many Of the Good Fellows are
giving Christmas parties for the
needy children.
is being held all afternoon at the
washington Navy Yard. where fifty
needy children from the southeast
section of the city are being enter
tained by the Seamen Gunners' Ath-
letic Association. These children,
gathered up during the morning by
automobile, were taken to the yard.
where one of the biggest dinners
they ever saw has been put In front
Of them to do with as they please.
While they were doing just this the
finishing touches were being put on
big Christmas tree In a nearby
hall.
Dinner over, an all-afternoon party
will be held under the tree. with
gifts and candy galore. This eve
ming the children will be taken home
In the Navy Yard automobiles, to
live again In memory what is prov
ing to most Of them the happiest
day Of their lives.
Other Good Fellows are holding
Christmas parties in their own
homes for the needy children and
their parents. Many have provided
Christmas trees for the homes Of the
children to which they were as
signed.
Brings Back Husband.
Evidence Of practical results for
good, following the Good Fellow
campaign to relieve washington's 3
poor were uncovered by volunteer
workers.
What Is said to be the most un-
usual case SO far discovered was
reported when a worker called at
an address which was sent in with
a request for aid. An American
Legion official. cooperating in the
relief work, visited at q dinRy
looking hovel to investigate q re-
port that the mo&her had been de.
serted by her husband and had two
children sick with pneumonia.
| dnnr n
tall, bronzed man, comparatively
well dressed. 81 know what you
have come for. buddy" the man
said. II heard that my wife and
the kids were in bad and had
asked the Good Fellows to help. It
made me ashamed of the way l
had gone off and left 'em. SO !
came back to do my part by 'em."
Had Load Of Coal.
With that the man opened the
door and invited the visitor in.
Although poorly furnished. the
house had been cleaned and there
was sufficient food in the larder.
The man then took the visitor to
the coal shed and showed him a
load Of coal which he had bought
since going back to his family.
The legion official, who asked his
name be withheld. gripped the mans
hand and left.
| Another case reported showed that
widow and six children were
housed in two rooms. There was no
coal In the house. and not even q
stove in which coal could have been
used IL 1t was on hand. The children
ranged from six months to thirteen
years in age. For the past five days
they have had no fire, It was learned.
Brings Stove and Fuel.
The Good Fellow worker imme.
diately ordered q stove and a load
of coal, and left sufficient money ia
buy food for the Christmas holidays
Later he returned to find that the
mother and her thirteen.year-old
daughter had carried the coal into
the house in buckets. 1t was neces.
sary to bring the coal UP a high
flight Of stairs.
Other cases Of equal need were
found, and in each instance material
aid was given. The workers will
keep In touch with the most acute
cases after the holidays.
'Kentuckians to Dance.
i