Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-17
CHRISTMAS IS
Time FOR GIFTS
TO POOR AND NEEDY

With the coming Of Christmas the
thoughts Of kindly disposed citizens
are again turned to the needy and to
those whose holiday might bring them
no pleasure were it not for the assist
ance given them by those whose cir
cumstanceS are somewhat more COM
Portable. This year, as is usually the
case, there are many people who need
but a little help to make their Christ
mas happy while there are a smaller
number whose poverty is abject and to
whom contribution of the bare ne
cessities of life will mean much.
In years past there has been much
duplication of effort in Christmas re-
lief work and some families have re-
ceiyed aid from a number of sources
and others have been totally neglected.
This year, by having a central list of
needy cases at the Office of the Cham
Der Of Commerce from which the va
rious charitable organizations of the
city will be given families to care for,
the Christmas assistance is to be more
evenly distributed. 1t is important
that those having names of people who
need help should leave them at the
chamber office and it is equally impor-
work Independently should acquaint
the chamber with the fact so that the
people they help will not be on the
list of any organization.
Many persons have in their own
homes articles which would add great
ly to the happiness of some who are
more unfortunate and little rummag-
ing in attics and old trunks might do
much to Great Christmas happiness.
The call for warm clothing this year
is as large as ever and the warm gar
ments which now do nothing but sup
ply food for moths in various closets
and storage places can be put to very
good use.
Perhaps Miss Bella Pitcher, the city
health nurse, is as closely acquainted
with the poverty CT the city and as
apt to know of the most needy cases
as Is any other person in the city. She
has reported to the chamber that there
are several expectant mothers in Wa
terville who are in great need of warm
baby layettes. Some of these women
are able to make the clothing neces-
sary for their babies, provided that
they have the material, and because of
this pieces of outing flannel and other
warm, soft cloth would be very use
full.
One particularly pathetic case which
has been pointed out is that of girl,
seven years old. whose entire ward
robe consists of one wolfe dress of
very light weight. This is not ample
protection from the rigors. of New
England winter and each day she
wears it to school. Week ends she is
forced to wear no dress at all while
her single garment is being washed.
A dress for this youngster would not
only make her warmer and more COM
Portable but it would give her the sat
isfaction of a change Of color and
style now and again.
Another case to cause twinge in
warm hearts is that of a family of a
mother and father and four children
living some distance from the center
of the city on farm. The mother
has. since the 18th of last October,
been confined to hospital and for
three years before that time she has
been in i'll health. Despite this mis-
fortune the eldest child. girl of IA,
carries "on and does all the work of
the household. Food isn't needed
here as much as is warm clothing and
Christmas can be made to mean much
to these plucky children.
III dHother iHSldnce girl Oh 10 mas
been forced to remain home from
school simply because she did not
have sufficient clothing. In this fam
lily there are five children at home
and the father is able to work but a
part of the time.
Any Christmas donations that Wa
terville folks may have can be taken
to Miss Picher's Office in the city
building and from there they will be
properly distributed.