Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-16
OPPORTUN|T|ESGET.
S1,12O IN 8 GIFTS
AImas Temple Donates $420
and Two Anonymous Per-
sons Total of $500.

The Christmas Opportunity Fund
of the Associated Charities received
a big boost this morning, when word
came to headquarters from the
Christmas committee of Almas Tenn
pie that the aommittee had appro-
priated S42o, E@Sbe divided among the
II Christmas opportunities.
This is not the first time that
Almas Temple has remembered this
Christmas appeal On another occa-
sion $3.50 was donated for the same
purpose In accordance with the wish
of the donors, the gift has been di-
Nided among the IS remaining oppor-
tunities. In view of the fact that
No. has been taken care of by the
h1Wanians, its share of the Almas
Temple gift has been allotted TO No
2, the opportunity with the largest
budget.
Another large gift acknowledged
today is that of $500, which was
brought 10 the Social Service House
ny an annual contributor to the fund
A new contributor sends 5000. Both
OF these givers stipulate that their
names shall not he published 1t is
because of this wish expressed by 50
many of the donors that most of the
acknowledgements are made by initials.
Pioneering In MOthcrs' Allowances.
For IL years the Associated Chart
ties has been pioneering in the field
OF mothers allowances peculiarly
known as mothers pensions. but bet
ter described as childrens allowances.
Tor the reason that the purpose of the
grants is to benefit the children Of
the selected families. The policy as
eXemplitied in this Christmas oppor-
tunlty fund is based on the theory
that no mother should be asked to
give up her children solely because
ei poverty due to the death or inva-
hdlsm or abandonment of the wage
Garner.
In all such cases every progressive
community today, either through a
system of public or private grants,
aims to enable the mother, if she be a
proper guardian and homennaker to
keep her children with her. This de-
clsion in each instance is reached
after careful inquiry into the fam
lly situation to learn what natural
resources there are. what the rela-
tives or the familys church or the
mans former employer are able or
wiling to do. With these sums placed
on the income side and a budget of
family requirements for rent. food.
fuel and other necessities placed on
the debit side. the deficit between in
come and expenses represents the
amount asked for in these opportuni-
ties.
B"dgetary system Approved.
President Coolidge, according to re-
cent press reports, has givcn his
stamp of approval TO the budgetary
system in charitable and phi!an-
thropic administration. 1t is this
system which is adopted by the AS
soctated Charities. not only in plan
ming its years requirements. but also
in discovering the needs of the DIFF
ferent families under its care. as Illus
trated in the method used with it's
Christmas opportunities. The fami' Y
budget, however, is no arbitrary
guesswork, but is prepared by the
social worker in conference with the
home maker. and with due regard to
the standards whici the family should
maintain, especially for the sake Of
the children
contributions may he sent to John
Joy Edison, treasurer Social Service