Evening star., 1935-10-13
CHARITY SHAPES
LIVES OF NEEDY
Goodwill Industries, Inc,
, Aids Unfortunates by
Teaching Self Help.

Its instrument Is Goodwill indus
tries, Inc, non-profit charitable or
ganization recently established in
Washington after successful operation
in 96 other cities of the United States.
For support in its mission of mercy,
It is appealing to the good will Of the
nations Capital city and those Of its
inhabitants who can afford to make
cash contributions to the cause of
private charity.
You see. we're just like big fam
fly. Each of us is here because we are
willing to work, because we want to
work for what we have"
The speaker was a man of kindly
face. gray of hair and about 60. He
waved his hand a bit proudly about
him, smiled at two women who were
sitting sewing before a huge pile of
clothing, WINGED little as man ham,
mered noisily behind him on rough
cabinet. His eye lighted with increas.
ing pleasure as he indicated a shoe
repairing machine humming in one
corner of the crowded room, two men
standing before it and surrounded by
q pile Of secondhand shoes of every
description.
Launches Charity Career.
1t was Solomon Lincoln Thomas
talking, former real estate agent in
Washington, one-time Y. M C. A.
secretary, and now superintendent of
the newly established Washington Of
fee of Goodwill Industries, Inc. For
the past five years, he has been blazing
his way through new career, career
Of charity on which he embarked after
illness and age had seemingly brought
him to the end of his active life.
The dozen or so persons who were
busy throughout the crowded room
were either regular or temporary en-
ployes of Goodwill Industries; the
temporary classification taking in sev.
eral women who had just stopped in
that morning to work a few hours
in return for pair Of shoes, cou-
pie Of dresses, coat or some other
odd bit of needed clothing.
The so-called regular employees were
finding the same experience in life
as had Thomas Nearby. for instance,
was a tall, dignified appearing man,
also kindly of face and gray of hair;
his interest being focused on the work
OF the two carpenters at the rough
cabinet. He was ]. H. Grady, "a,
one-time chief of the State constab-
ulary of South Carolina, merchant
and farmer, now sales manager for
Goodwill Industries of Washington.
Busy somewhere else was J. M.
Barr, SO, former hotel and restaurant
owner in Norfolk, Va, now produc-
tion manager of the local charitable
enterprise.
All Happy in Work.
In each of these cases, a depres-
sion that has left its lasting mark on
a nation had caught up with an in
dividual-caught him just at that age
when usefulness and ability we're far
from ended but when the swifter pace
OF youth was winning the few avail
able economic rewards.
Today, all three of them are work
ing with an enthusiasm equal to any
shown in pursuit of earlier careers
as they champion the cause of good
will.
Around them are piles of clothing,
solicited and transported to the Good
will center at 924 Fifth street under
Barr's direction. In rack of many
shelves are countless pairs of used
shoes; mems, women's and children's.
In back room are pieces of furni-
ture; beds, tables, chairs. even an old
organ. Eventually, all of these sup
plies will be repaired, but more i'm
tation brought to the men and women
who do the repairing.
One of them stands in front of the
shoe machine. The stump of left
arm is encased in a leather jacket
but with his right hand he deftly
handles shoes.
Il used to be a railroad man." he
says. Lost this arm braking trains.
Been shoemaking since 1917 but busi-
ness has been bad the last few years
down in Winston salem. Came to
Washington about seven months ago.
A1COll OfCk AlClC dbOuk tWO ulO24Lllc1
plenty of work here
Beside him worked a colored man,
learning how to patch soles, attach
heels.
Most of the work ever did was
laboring." he explained. I'm sure
glad to get chance to learn trade"
Back near the table piled with |
n 1Atniro cit fIro
over sewing machine, the second |
works by hand. Across from them
are two others sorting all kinds of |
clothes.
All are so or more.
Asked If they work there steadily,
II they are helping to support fam
lilies. they hesitate. The woman at the
machine smiles little sadly, I'm all
alone. I just work here to support
myself, every day."
The second adds: MY husband |
Isn't working right now. I come here
mornings to work in exchange for |
some odd clothes for the youngster."
Cabinetmakers Experienced.
Hammering at the carpentering job
are two former cabinetmakers, too
old for employment in the building |
boom now existent in Washington. |
At present, they are constructing a
bin for piles of clothing. Odd Jobs
of this kind have kept them busy at
Goodwill headquarters for several
weeks, their return being a nominal
wage or some of the necessities avail
able.
The history of Goodwill Industries
goes back to 1905, when DR.. E. j.
Helms, a Boston pastor, set needy men
and women at work in the pews of his
church making over worn and dis
carded garments for themselves and
other unfortunates. Waste materials
were salvaged, as were waste humans.
most of them too old or handicapped
to find new employment in private
Industry.
Application Of the plan spread over
Dc cities during the succeeding 80
s,. - 1,@l etvtn |