Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-17
FAIRFAX HAS FIRST
OPPORTUNITY LIST
County Superintendent OF
Public Welfare Has Roll of
Needy Families.

ice, is appealing to the people of North
ern Virginia to contribute to the chill
dren who without such help will suffer
not only at this Christmas season, but
later throughout the year.
No funds have as yet been appropriat-
ed by the county board of supervisors
TO assist Mrs. Manghum in meeting press
ing emergencies as they arise. Very
often small sum of money wisely ex-
pended will correct a situation which
If neglected becomes intolerable. Mrs.
Manghum has been forced to depend
on contributions for what money she
has needed since her appointment. She
is appealing at this Christmas season
to those more generously endowed and
has prepared list of opportunities,
selected from among the many cases
she has been called on to deal with
during her first two months.
The Opportunities.
Opportunity No. l. In one of the
most isolated sections of Lee district,
on a road which, during bad weather
/ is accessible only on foot, lives a 90
year-old mother with two little girls,
one 3, the other S. The father is Serv-
ing l0-year sentence in the State
penitentiary. The house is old and
sparsely furnished, but clean and tidy;
there is not a toy in the house, not
even doll. The necessities of cloth
ing are there, but no more. At present
the mother receives SIS per month
from the county and So from her father.
Unless at least SIS per week extra is
secured it will be necessary to put the
children in home in order that the
mother may 60 to work outside. She
is making every effort to keep her lit
tie family together. Mrs. Manghum
asks for this family $40 per month and
toys, clothing and food.
Opportunity No. 2. A woman in
Providence district, who has been de-
serted by her husband and left with a
4-year-old girl and 6-year- old boy, now
Washington laundry. Out of this she
pays for food, clothes, and rent to the
elderly woman with whom they make
their home and who cares for the chill
dren during the day. Clothing for her
self and the children, Christmas toys
for the youngsters and occasional bas-
kets Of food would be welcome.
Eight Orphans.
Opportunity No. 3. A family in Falls
Church district, eight children left IA
therleSS and motherleSS last year when
both parents died of tuberculosis. The
oldest, girl of 10, herself married and
with two young children, has tried to
keep the family together on her huS-
bands salary as a truck driver. The
husbands salary is sufficient to care for
his own family, but not for all the
brothers and sisters. Local help has
been given, but it is spaSmodic, often
unwiSe. Mrs. Manghum has arranged
that one boy, IA years old, be sent
South to an uncle and she is endeavor-
fvAn 20 hOH 1Nn DC in
clined to be unruly, into the service. A
second uncle has agreed to take the IA
month-old baby. Efforts are being
made to have the 9-year-old boy, g.
year-old girl, and two boys, 4 and 8,
placed in church homes. At least $25
per month Is needed to pay their board
in these homes and their transporta-
ton expenses. Toys for the Christmas
season, clothes and general relief under
Mrs. Maughum'S supervision will also
be welcome.
Opportunity No. f. A family Of eight
children, living in Providence district.
woman, the father shiftless and lazy.
No money Is asked, as the father Is able
to work, but toys for the children and
Christmas cheer and goodies as well as
clothing will be much appreciated. The
five girls are IL, 10, 6, 2 and 2 months;
the boys are IS, 8 and 4 years old.
Toys Needed Here.
Opportunity No. S. In Mount Vernon
district Christmas toys are needed for
four children ranging in age from TO
3 years old and in addition at least So
a week apiece with which to place them
in boarding homes with the idea oil
placing them in foster homes as soon
as the latter can be obtained. The case
is pitiable one in so far as the children
are concerned, and the family has re-
ceived much local assistance, which the
mother is apparently unable to use
wisely. BY order of Judge Howard
Smith on November % the children were
removed from the custody of their par
entS, who were deemed not proper per-
sons to take care of them until the
father provides suitable home. They
are now under the supervision of Mrs
Manghum, who will place them as soon
as the necessary funds are contributed
The youngest child, baby, who was
saved from absolute starvation, has
J already been placed in private home
and the oldest boy has been taken by
the grandmother.
Opportunity No. 6. In Falls Church
| district father and mother and six
| children are living in small two-room
building, clean but very sparingly fur
| niShed, with no provision save FOL
| actual necessities. The children range in
age from years to months. The
| father was an Army photographer dur
| ing the World War, and later received
| two bad spills in aviation, which shat
tered his nerves and makes steady en-
| ployment impossible. He receives a
| small persion, which he is endeavoring
| to exc out by work with his little farm
Twenty-Five of the sixty dollars he re-
ceiveS each month goes as payment on
his place. Toys and clothing for the
| children, groceries, feed for his flock OF
chickens would be of great assistance.
Widow and Two Children.
Opportunity No. Z. A widow and
two children, the oldest girl Of IS, the
boy several years younger; the father
died this Summer after a long illness
The sole support of the family is what
the mother earns by doing washing and
the contributions of neighborS, who help
her pay her rent. She is endeavoring
to keep her children in school as long
as possible. Food, clothing and Christ
mas cheer would be most acceptable.
I Contributions of money should be
mailed to Mrs. Leon Manghum, Box
Is. East Falls Church. Toys, food and
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