Evening star., 1923-12-21
OPPORTUNITY FUND
QUARTER COMPLETE
Donations Thicker and Larg-
er as Christmas Day
Draws Near.

The Christmas Opportunity fund
seems to be looking up. With the
rapid approach of Christmas contri-
buttons are multiplying. Receipts up
to noon today passed one-fourth Of
the amount needed with a total OF
$3.50. This is Sl,23l more than the
Star acknowledged last night. One
man responds to the emergency of the
appeal by writing to John Joy Edison,
the treasurer, as follows: MY atten-
tion is called to your IS. o. s. and
am glad to contribute something to-
ward these deserving cases. So I
inclose a check for $25 to be dis
tributed among them as you think
best"
Another writes: Enclosed find my
usual donation to charity, particu-
in the act yet not usual in the
amount! But l have lately financed
"A relative from foreign parts SO that
| can only make it a five spot this
time" This is the kind of sharing
that is as much appreciated by these
Christmas families as if they could
know their benefactors. This sacri-
fetal giving reflects the Christmas
spirit that is abroad and so wide
spread a this season.
Building Reservoir.
The Christmas Opportunity appeal is
an attempt, and hitherto always a
successful one, to store up some of
the splendid onrush of the Christmas
flood of giving so as to feed with its
refreshing waters some of the barren.
dry spots that otherwise would go
unreached at other seasons of the
year. Who will help swell the reser-
voir which is intended to store up
enough of these saving waters to give
life and Sustenance in these fourteen
homes for a period of fifty-two weeks.
or until another Christmas rolls
around? And this is more than an
empty figure of speech. There are
fifty-two weeks ahead during which
these Christmas families will need
not luXuries but the things abso-
lutely necessary for wholesome life
and growth, particularly as affecting
the character, health and education
Of the fifty children in these homes
now hanging in the balance. And
only four more days to Christmas
morning!
VIII Keep Up Reports.
What a splendid chance these op-
portunities offer to teach to ones own
kiddies the joy of giving to other
boys and girls not SO fortunately sit
uated. While these children may be
unknown in person to the giverS the
Associate Charities will send to the
young lads and misses who give a
report from time to time to remind
them that their Christmas money is
still at work and to tell them what
it is accomplishing.
What these reports mean to the
donors has been shown over and over
again by letters received by the visi-
tors of the Associated Charities. One
such letter received this morning is
only a sample. Your interesting let
ter concerning family No. IL was very
much appreciated. I am very glad to
hear from time to time how they are
getting along and il does me a great
deal of good to give to so worthy an
opportunity even though my checks
are small. 1 am inclosing $40 for
them this Christmas, for you to either
give them the money or spend in
some way for their happiness"
Contributions may be sent to John
JOY Edison, treasurer, 1922 11th street
northwe st, or to the Office of The Star
and will be promptly acknowledged.
No. 1-Fnther IlI-Mother.
Six Children.
With her husband in the hospital
and no prospect of his return, this
gle to keep a suitable home for her
six children. The oldest child is TAX
ing a course in vocational training
to better equip herself as a wage
but the -year-old boy is
bringing in a little money by work
ing after school All the children are
in school or kindergarten except the
baby, only two years of age, who is
the pet of the household.
Relatives are doing everything they
can to help, but this happy. normal
home would have to be broken up If
the Associated Charities should stop
helping with food to satisfy the
hearty appetites. and clothing to
keep the family warm. Surely those
who love their own homes will not
let this mother lose hers.
SIS week Is the minimum required
to save this home, or $3.50 for the
year.
Amount asked for, $3.50. Previously
acknowledged, s1s6.O6. ]. K, s5; Mrs.
H. F. W., 81; DR.. w. C. r. s25; Mrs.
E. c. B., SO: L. s., So; o. NJ. G., $40;
G. H. n, So; c; W, $50; H NJ; J.; s5;
$40; A w. F., 81; G. P. s., 81. Total
to date, $322.06.
Still needed, s457.94.
No. 2-Overwork. Undernourishment
When father" was living this
nice home and everything went well.
The same sad story-death of the
father, and the long. hard struggle
living for her children. She tried
desperately, but could not make
enough to give them the proper food,
and the result is that the older two
boys are at present undernourished.
There is absolutely no income in the
family at present, other than that
received from the Associated Char
fties, and a total of $25 a week, or
$1,000, for the year, will give these
and eventually fit them to assume the
care of the family. Need we tell
you what this Christmas present will
mean to this mother?
Amount asked for. $1,000. Previously
acknowledged, S91.35. Mrs. II. L. H,
s5; Mrs. H. F. W.. 81; Mrs. w. c. R.,
S100; G. P. S., 81. Total to date, S198.35.
Still needed, s1.1O1.65.
No. 3-Two Rooms, Spell Home.
"Come and see our nice, brand
new home." said little tot Of seven.
The mother in this family was left to
fight her way alone, but she could
not make a go of 1t, owing to bad
health Home" is only two light
housekeeping rooms. but they are
clean. large, airy and just chock-
this is so much better than they had
last year. The family's church helps
with the support of this widow and
her two little girls. but this amount
must be supplemented. Fourteen
dollars q week, or a total Of S72S, is
brand new home" next year viii
they be able?
Amount asked for, s72S. Previously
acknowledged S66 A. s. S5. d r. r.