Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-11-25
THE HOME FOR THE AGED

THE HOME FOR THE AGED
Perth Amboy and Middlesex county have a great responsibility
in connection with the Home for the Aged in this city. Old age
Ncommands respect everywhere. He must be a hardened individual
indeed, who would knowingly see an old person suffer. We have
bn kinds Of charities and the demand upon those who are able to
support the worthy causes is great, but there is nothing more
deserving than a movement having for its purpose the care and
comfort of those whose lives have been spent and who are no
longer able to support themselves.
There is no doubt that the people generally are heartily in
sympathy with the Home for the Aged in this city and are proud
Of the fact that Perth Amboy has such an institution. 1t is a credit
TO the city in every way. Nothing can be more noble than main
+ banning this home for those who, late in life, find themselves prac-
ideally alone in the world. There is a sublimity in this work that
Fan be found in no other cause. The joy and satisfaction that
pne gets in having a part in ii I'll IS what makes life worth living.
The Home for the Aged in this city has been established so
Song, now, that it has come to be taken as a matter Of course.
People point to it with pride and are glad that the city can boast
bf such an institution. Few, however, know very much about the
I Home and there are fewer, perhaps, who understand how the
Home is maintained. 1t is time that we all became better ac-
uuainted with it and showed our interest in the most substantial
way.
The Home is not selfsupportng, by any means. 1t costs on
an average of from $3.50 to $500 a month to run it, we are told.
The income from those who enter does not come anywhere near
reaching that sum. The greater part Of the finances must be
Furnished by the public. We are sure that the public would be
4Aa+oae its part once the requirements are understood.
In the Abatement published yesterday, announcing that next
week is to be visitors week at the Home, the startling fact was
brought out that the total amount received from the public during
the past year, including sustaining memberships, special donations,
rummage sales, bazars, etc, was but 1898. 1t is plain to be seen
that the Home cannot be run on any such support as that. Such
"a condition of affairs has not been generally known or the result
would have been different. We cannot believe that the people of
Perth Amboy would permit such neglect.
This Home for the Aged is here and must be maintained.
The good name Of Perth Amboy is at stake. The institution
lis well established in q building Of its own and is comparatively free
from debt. All that is needed to make these old folks happy and
contented is enough money to maintain it from year to year. Out
Of our abundance we surely ought to be able to do this.
It is estimated that between five and six thousand dollars will
be sufficient to meet all expenses. This is not hard for Perth
Amboy, with the assistance of the rest of the county, to do. The
Incentive surely is there for there can be no greater reason to give
than the fact that it is to care for the aged. 1t would be a fine
thing for the people of the city in large numbers to visit the Home
during the coming week and see what a charming place it is and
get a glimpse Of the happiness that it brings to the inmates.
In connection with this visitors week an appeal is to be made
10 the public for financial support. There is to be no "drive" in
the sense that we have come to understand that term. 1t is going
10 be q direct appeal to the people. What is needed more than
anything else is a substantial list of sustaining members who will
give annually a definite sum which, together with what can be
raised in a general way, will put the Home in first class condi-
contribute to such a cause as this.