Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-31
CHRIST CHILD FARM
HAS MANY GUESTS
Summer Vacation Program in
Full Swing at Suburban
Resort.

Motorists on the Norbeck pike just
crete streets of Rockville may note
to the left a large sign saying Fresh
Air Farm" conducted lty the Christ
Child Society, and if they stop n mo-
ment they will hear the joyous voices
of children who enjoy three weeks in
Il pleasant farmhouse surrounded by
IS acres of land
The &c children who go every three
weeks to the farm are selected by
a board of management of this society,
which is really the pioneer of all such
work in the District of Columbia. 1t
was i'm 1891 that Miss Mary Y. Her
rick. founder of the Christ Child, sent
out an appeal to the charitable of the
city to aid in the Summer outings
planned by her society, which has in
view the aid of children. whether to
provide clothes, food or mere pleas
ure. One of the first to respond was
Mrs. Grover Cleveland, who sent u
generous donation by n special mes
senger from the White House, and
besides this called the attention of
the ladies of the cabinet circle to the
good work and enlisted their aid. The
good work begun by the Christ Child
in these occasional excursions through
the Summer has broadened into the
maintenance of this farm, which has
Il commodiOus dwelling and aboundant
space to raise poultry, fruit and fresh
vegetables for the little guests from
the City's least attractive and most
congested districts.
Mrs. James Dudley Morgan of Dud-
lea. Chevy Chase, has charge of this
farm and gives special attention to
the grounds and the recrcational
plots. Mrs. A. J. Chappell plans the
outings and is Vigilant that all those
who should have the privilege get it,
Each of the Catholic parishes of the
District has a visitor, and these make
tours Of inspection. In addition, there
are settlement houses in all the poorer
districts where the children are in
structed through the year, and all
those needing the vacation are in
Guided with those from the parishes
Besides the usual equipment of play
grounds, merry-go-rounds swings, see.
saws and ball grounds. this Summer
a roller skating space has been added
and pavilion, where the older chill
dren may dance. All kinds of pets,
kittens, ducks, squirrels md tame
rabbits, have been provided and
what perhaps makes as much of an
appeal, there are large orchards where
just at present juicy Summer apples
are in abundance, with promise Of
peaches and grapes later on.
Mrs. Charles p. Neill, who IS vice
president of the Christ Child Society,
has sent out fervent appeal for sup
port of this fresh-air fund. She has
figured that SIS will give a child
one weeks outing at the farm and
SIS the total time allowed, three
weeks.
Miss Merrick, who founded the
Christ Child Society more than 80
years ago. is the daughter Of the late
Richard G.. Merrick An invalid from
her birth, she conducts her work from
a rolling chair and maintains a cor
rcSpondence which extends in many
states and in different countries. The
national board aiding Miss Merrick in
her work are Mrs. Charles +. Neill.
Mrs. Daniel G. Stapleton, Mrs. Thorn.
ton +. Boland, Mrs. William j. McGee
Miss Catherine Holbrook, Mrs. Charles
w. Semmes and Mrs. Thomas f.
keane. Miss Mary Elizabeth Barney
IS executive secretary and Miss Mer.
rlcks sisters, Miss Margaret and Miss
Mildred Merrick, and Mrs. George Err.
nest Hamilton are also prominently
identified with the work.