Arizona republican., 1922-04-23


is, VIII it pay?
This same question has been ex-
pressed by number of citizens when
approached by friends for a donation
to the Arizona Children's Home now
located in Tucson. am one who has
been interested in the progress OF
this great charitable work from its
very inception. When one hundred
dollars in cash and a few cast OH
pieces OF furniture was the nucleus
that has reared itself into a splendid
institution at the present time.
The first home was a rented ADOBE
building of nine rooms which soon
proved inadequate and larger build
ing was secured. This soon proved
too small and twas then the associ-
alton decided TO build their own home
ON large tract of land that had
been donated. Near the city OF
Tucson. about two miles out on the
Nogales highway, there now stanos
modest building dedicated TO our
homeless and friendless children from
all over the state, known as the Arl-
zona Children's Home.
1t was my privilege recently 70
-
anlazement at the surroundings. Mrs.
Williams. the matron, and so good
and motherly, ushered us IN. we
found the building immaculate, the
children tidy and neat and the older
ones gathered in the living room,
cutting strips of crepe paper and
decorating the room for Easter. ano
they were so happy. This lovely
room is a cheerful one, a very large
fire place at one end. flanked on each
side with book cases. The floors are
highly polished throughout the
building. no carpets covering them
except here and there small rugs, q
number of these donated by the
Phoenix branch. The woodwork Is IN
fumed gray except in the dormitorles
and other sleeping quarters when ls
white ivory. The basement consists
of a large airy play room that cen
tains books and toys galore. even 70
| baby swing Adjoining this room
| is a very modern laundry where the
entire laundry for the institution Is
| turned out.
The baby ward is on the main floor
away from noise and chatter. This
1 is furnished in cribs, carriages, a1o
other paraphernalia necessary tc
| baby life and is one of the dearest
spots in the home. Five tiny babes
| two of them twins, were being cared
| for by a, capable woman who devoteS
her entire attention to the baby ward
The dining room, kitchen, wasf
rooms. lockers, store rooms and clos
cts are on the main floor, so convent
emily arranged that one realizes i
took hours of thought to bring out al
the little details.
The girls and boys dormitories are
on the second floor, opposite sides OF
| the building, furnished in white iron
beds three quarter size, one chic
only occupying each bed. Each child
who is old enough is taught to make
| its own bed in a most interesting
manner. The bedding, with the ex-
| ception of the under sheet. is folded
each side up, then rolled toward the
| foot of the bed and the bed is left tc
air the entire day. At night the bed
ding is unrolled and each child conn.,
fortahly tucked in. No child returns
! to the dormitories until bed time
the lockers, baths and dressing rooms
being separate. This plan leaves the
! beds free to air and prevents the
| children from coming in with soileo
hands and garments and lounging or
the beds.
one interesting feature was the
| locker system. When child enters
the home they are given a number
This number entities them to a GER
tain bed. certain place at the table
and individual locker. The lockers
| brush and comb, tooth brush anc
| tooth paste l could not help bu'
wonder what great treat this was
to the children to have tooth paste.
At the present time the employe:
| consist of a matron. assistant house.
keeper. nurse for baby ward. cook
and laundress. Mrs. Williams, the
matron, believes in system and dis
cipline but lots of love mixed with 1t
There are 38 children in the home
besides the babies and they all love
Mrs. williams dearly.
A short time is spent each evening
in devotional service and then story
hour before bedtime.
AS we were being shown over the
building a very dark skinned little
| boy came into the room. The matror
called to him and said. Juan. come
here and meet my friends" and she
drew him to her and stroked his head
and said. Juan is one of my best
little boys and l love him very much
When he had gone out she said he is
a little orphan Indian boy and q
good boy.
Then she bade US good bye and said
she must hurry for the children had
already gathered in the living room
for service.
AS I turned away / could not helr
thinking of the many generous gifts
that had made this home possible an6
ask did it pay?" And my heart