The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-03-03
HOW THE LAKELAND
COMMUNITY WELFARE
LEAGUE ORIGINATED

Perhaps in the minds of some peo-
pie the question has arisen: What is
the Lakeland Community Welfare
League and why is it organized? The
events leading up To this organization
will carry MS back over the last few
years. As probably every citizen re-
calls. there has been each year cam
paigns to raise money for various well
fare and charity organizations. The
most prominent of these has been
those covering the Boy Scouts, Y. M.
c. A.. Red Cross and Associated Char
tiles. each of which along with other
welfare activities called for cam
paigns. tag days benefits and other
methods of raising money for each of
the individual organizations.
During the latter part of 1921, when
the time for going out again for funds
drew near, considerable study was
given to the question of combining in
some manner the campaigns for rails
ing money for this work. That study
led to the discovery that unless more
funds were secured for these organi-
satOnS than had been secured in the
past it would be necessary for them
10 cease to function, because they had
not been properly financed. and were
dissipating a great deal of their en-
orgies in trying to raise funds in var
icus ways when their time and
thought could be more proftably spent
on performing the work thev were
called upon to do. 1t was found that
there was no one body or agency
through which the community welfare
and charity work could be done;
some phases of the work were over
looked. some phases of the work were
duplicated and that some plan for
bringing these forces together would
be big step forward.
AS a result of this investigation and
study of the work and its problems
the belief grew stronger and stronger
that the solution of Lakeland's well
fare and charity organizations lay in
some form Of a federation which
you'd eliminate numerous drives, eff.
feet economy, increase finances and
prevent overlapping. 50 a meeting of
all the welfare organizations was
called and a federation proposed.
which was adopted and a committee,
known al the Amalgamation commit
tee. was appointed. The Lakeland
Chapter American Red Cross appoint
ed Mr.. +. n. Good as its representa-.
tive. Lakeland Board Y. NJ. C. A. ap-
pointed Mr.. W. S. Moore as its repre-
sentative, the Boy Scouts Council APP
pointed Mr.. c. II. Williams as its rep
resentatiye, the w. C. T. U. appointed
Mrs. A. H. Darracott as its represen-
tative. These, together with three rep
resentatives Of civic organizations
Mr. J. 5. Jewett. appointed by the Ro-
tary Club; DIR. c. |. Stacy, appointed
by the Chamber of Commerce. and
Mrs. Harry Brown, appointed by the
Woman's Club-were to serve as a
committee and work out and perfect
such an amalgamation.
Meetings OF this Amalgamation
committee have resulted in the draft
ing OF proposed constitution and by
laws, the preparing of proposed
budget, the outlining of the plans for
amalgamation and the preparation for
he campaign or first annual roll call
Headquarters have been established
IN the Tourist building of the Lake
land Chamber OF Commerce, where
telephone, number 1913, has been in.
The WNrr; Of thaSa voriouc or1o,;,o