Evening star., 1923-12-20
10Y IS REVEALED
. IN OPPORTUNITIES
Friends Repeating Christmas
Gifts Learn Progress
of Families.

Old friends of the Christmas op-
portunities in repeating their gifts
for this year are expressing their
gratitude and satisfaction at the ac-
counts sent them from time to time
reporting progress in "our" families.
This is an example of human psy-
chology which shows that people like
TO follow their gifts with personal
interest. in those for whom the money
Is used. The repeating of ones in
vestment is the very best indication
that the dividends" are considered
entirely satisfactory.
What better Christmas gift can be
made than to adopt, in a figurative
sense at least, one of these oppor-
tunity families for day, a week or
month? That the budgets on which
the weekly allowances are based are
from this example. This is the week
1y estimate for a widow and three
children. where there is no other
stated income; Rent s.; food, ,$l22:
1nCidentals. including recreation. car
fare. housefurntshings. emergencies
and the like. $3.50; insurances, 10
cents. Total, S26.75.
Mother Has breakdown.
In this family the mother broke down
from overwork and has to be carefully
watched. One of the children has tu-
berculosis, and extra milk must be sup
piled. To break the family up at this
stage would indeed be poor economy.
Even with the children to be put in an
institution soma one must pay the bill.
The problem of housing enters into al
most all these opportunity families.
The difficulty is TO find suitable quar-
ters at anything like pre-war rentals.
It simply can't be done. The visitors
of the Associated Charities verify sta
tistical reports that so far from there
being any decline in food costs, COM
pared with year ago, the tendency is
an increase. All these facts must be
given due weight in planning the bud
gets of these opportunity families.
Yet the total amount asked for, ST., ,966,
Is slightly less than last years budgets
Of an equal number Of opportunity
families.
1t is the hope that contributions to
these opportunities may be speeded up
during the few remaining days to
, Christmas. Reports up to noon today
showed a trlfe more than $4,000 in
hand. but less than one-fifth of the sum
required to hold these families together
for the coming year.
Contributions may be sent to John
JOY Edison, treasurer, 1922 11th street
NV, or to the offices of The Star, and
Will be promptly acknowledged.
No. 1-Father IlI-Mother,
Six Children.
With her husband in the hospital
and no prospect of his return, this
little mother is making brave strug-
, gle to keep suitable home for her
six children. The oldest child is TAX
Ing a course in vocational training
10 better equip herself as a wage
Garner; This strains the family purse.
but the thirteen-year-o boy is
bringing in a little money by work
ing after school, All the children are
In school or kindergarten except the
rS ~ n -hNt &c
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
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 a week is the minimum required
TO save this home. or $3.50 for the
year.
.oao.1n5raS AnOgn5 asked t,59 for s7S9 Preyously
S. F. A. A. NJ. s5 friend, $40: G. n,
, s5; NJ. p, $40; c. Z. B., So K p. r.,
s5 E. ]. H. So. Total to date, 1886 O6.
Still needed, $593.94.
No. 2-Overwork, Undernourishment.
When father" was living this
mother and her three children had a
nice home and everything went well.
The same sad story-death of the
father, and the long, hard struggle
on the part of the mother to make
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 total of S25 a week, or
$1,000 for the year, will give these
boys chance to regain their health
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, 1890. Previously
acknowledged, $64. Boy Scout Troop,
NO. 6, s7.35; Mr.. and Mrs. McB. S., $5 4;
Potomac Lodge, No. 5, f. A. A. NJ, SIS !;
G. ". So; NJ. G.. w, s5. Total to date,
s91.35.
Still needed, s1.20S.65.
No. 3-TwO Rooms Spell Home.
Come and sec our nice, brand
new home" said little tot of seven. |
The mother in this family was left to /