Evening star., 1932-12-23
GIVING
F.. LED BY FIRST LADY
Distribution of Baskets Be-
gun at Mission Early
Because Of Trip.
Continued From First Page.)


men and boys at the mission Christmas
day.
Tfis afternoon at 2:3o o'clock Mrs.
Hoover was to 20 to the Salvation Army
headquarters st sos E street, to ex-
tend good wishes and give away the
first OF 500 baskets during the Army's
annual Christmas party. For many
years the wife of the President has been
the chief figure at this party, standing
beside the gayly-decked Christmas tree
and playing the part Of Santa Claus.
Four hundred baskets were given to
the poor this morning at the headquar-
ters Of the Volunteers Of America, All
Pennsylvania avenue. After the baS-
kets were presented to worthy families
cooks began getting ready for the ar
dous task Of preparing Christmas din
ner for the more than 500 persons
whom the Volunteers expect to serve
Sunday
Tonight the annual Christmas party
for children will be held by the Saliva
ton Army. There will be q costumed
Santa Claus and toys and a tree.
Through the welfare department Of
the District Department OF the
American Legion. the annual
Christmas party Of the Legion will
be held at the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing this afternoon. Because
OF great need this year. the Legion will
give mostly clothing and other useful
articles to the children rather than the
toys OF past years. There will be
child one.
For Colored Children.
The needy colored children Of the
city will have their Christmas party
at the Phyllis Wheatley Young Wom-
ems Christian Association this after
noon. A large number Of toys are
ready for distribution.
The children's Christmas party 10
be given by the Volunteers OF America
will be held tonight when poor young
sters will receive toys and well-filled
Highlights In tomorrow's celebration
of the Yuletide will be the
ceremonies attending the lighting of
the National Community Christmas
Tree by Vice President Curtis in Sher-
man Square. south Of the Treasury,
and the Christmas Gift Of Song"
which the various choral groups will
present to the city.
The tree will be lighted at pm to-
morrow BY the Vice President In the
absence Of President Hoover, who orig
inally was scheduled to throw the
switch.
Last night the Takoma Park COM
munity Christmas tree was lighted IN
a ceremony which included the singing
OF carols BY the Madrigal Singers and
Girl and Boy Scouts. Among those
who spoke were Miss Sybil Baker. sup
erintendent OF District Fairgrounds. and
James G. Yaden. president Of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations. The
tree Is located in the Takoma Park
playground.
Sherman Square Tree.
The program incident to the lighting
Of the tree In Sherman square is sched-
uled to get under way at 4:3o pm with
a concert by the Marine Band. The
Vice President and his party will ar
rive near the end Of the concert and
be received by Senator Capper. ma
tional chairman for the celebration.
and Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peoples Of the
Community Center Department.
Senator Capper Will introduce the
| lighting the tree and signaling the Of
! hcial beginning of Christmas through
out the United States.
The Gordon Junior High School
! Carolers. under direction of Miss Mary
/ NJ wilkins will then incircle the tree
| singing "Hark! the Herald Angels
Sing" and following them the Girls
Glee Club of George Washington Uni
versity will sing The Bells" directed
by Dr. Robert Howe Harmon.
/ Trc Christmas greetings of the peo
/ pie o. Washington will be presented to
Vice President Curtis by Arlton Muir
ray. Troop 81 Boy Scouts Of America,
and the greetings to Mrs. Gam by
| Isabel Walter. Troop SO, Girl Scouts Of
America. The Mems Glee Club Of
George Washington University will sing
The Holly and the Ivy" and the
George Washington University Glee
Clubs combined. under DR.. Harmon's d.
rection. will sing Silent Night. Holy
Night" The Marine Band will play
"Adeste Fdelis" and Second Leader Ar
thur 9. Witcomb, cornetist. will be
heard in "Cantique de Noel" following
which will come the ofhcial Christmas
greeting to the Nation by the Vice
President Of the United States.