Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-10-02
Natural Desire To Help.

Most people have a natural desire to help
the person who is in trouble. 1t is small
wonder then that in times so abnOrinally
distressing as now. that on every side we
are hearing of the generosity of those who
can share and the plans of these for
increased sharing with the less fortunate.
But did you ever stop to think that relief
giving is not always giving the greatest
service? There may be many, many other
needs which do not appear on the surface
and relief giving does not always touch
these. Take the Browns for instance the
Browns moved to Montgomery County two
years ago. The family consisted of Mr.
Brown, Mrs. Brown and eight small children
in stair-step order. The Browns presented
a pathetic picture to the neighbors. More
so because Father Brown could paint his
own distress in vivid terms. In the course
of year the Browns were known to three
church groups, to several local clubs and So
cieties. They had done well in collecting food,
clothes, and even money, from generous and
kind-hearted persons. The Browns received
this with open hands. each gift whetting
their appetites for making fresh invasions
Last winter the Browns were referred to
the Social Service League. Some research
into their background and family problems
revealed that the mother was suffering
from T, B.. the father had history over a
period of many years which revealed his lack
of stick-to-it-iveness. The Browns judgment
was none too expert, and in a period of
great distress they had been paying heavily
on overstuffed furniture and expensive rugs
while the children were i'll clothed and
poorly fed On one occasion when Mr..
Brown had come into possession of S25,
he had taken the entire family into the
city and used Sis of this on an evening 8
entertainment and SIS as a down payment
on new suit for himself.
Giving food and money and clothes, buy
ing shoes for the children, or sending them
gifts, or even paying rent for the Browns
would never solve their problem But with
proper budgeting and advancing. and
much guidance. and finding the father a
job and following to keep him at it, a little
relief here was made to 60 much further
than any amount the Browns had ever
before had, and the children themselves,
who were innocently worthy and deserving,
were better cared for.
In helping the many families of Browns
to plan. and in protecting the public from
placing its money, its time and it's interest
in situations which are not hopeful unless
expertly guided. the Social Service League
offers its services. 1t is its work to look
into all family problems. Its job is to try to
guide the many Browns to a more whole
some plan Of living.
II you belong to a club that is interested
in raising money for some hopeful and
needy cause. the Social Service League
| will be glad to offer its services in making
the investigation for you and placing your
money where the greatest returns may be
expected. Busy business men and club
women cannot be expected to give their
time and the preparation necessary for
going into these problems. They can.
however. help greatly by giving such sub
stance as they may gather, to the League,
thus avoiding Implications. omissions and
confusion that are so apt to arise when
small individual interests are not pooled
with organized effort.
Your club group may find that ii becomes
wearing to continue to pull the Browns up.
Your friends may buy several pairs OF
shoes for school children before beginning
to wonder II there Is a limit to what they
may be expected to do. But eventually
they will wish to know IL the family can
not be stimulated to provide its own shoes.
The Social Service Leagues first step is to
investigate to find resources In the family.
The Social Service League cannot allow its
interest to wane but must make an effort
TO see that all those deserving, and hopeful
are helped through using II. You may be
sure that the service will continue as long
as II seems constructive and the need Is
URGENT.
This winter. as has been It's custom in
past years, the Social Service League will
be glad to receive Thanksgiving donations
and to make a distribution of these. Il
will also place for any club group any Gift
that II wishes 10 make toward constructive
social aid. Clothes. money. canned goods
and food are welcomed. II will work out
special projects with those interested In
helping Individual cases.
At Christmas time. as has been the
custom for years. list OF especially worthy
families will be offered as Christmas 0ppor-
tunities for those who wish TO contribute
towards aiding some special cause.
II you belong to group that Is interested
because Of the present demand 10 giving
unusually this winter. the Social Service
League invites you TO talk over your project