The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1937-12-06

drawers, the attic All of them should overhaul their
books If it is put in the light of nopportnity for
christmas giving in which all members of the family
can join they will probably be surprised by the things
which turn up the pile to be given away. Here
for instance is overcoat which father has
u~ed for years, thinking the time might when
he would it again. But there shivering men
walking the streets without any. coats at all these
days. Or here is old quilt preserved in mothballs
as BELTS heirloom. You thought time and time
again that it good part with but remember
that there children who go to bed wrapped in
newspapers, and still cold.
Be very careful about thing. Don't give rub
bsh Rubbish is good to anyone. Clean and reno
vate what be salvaged. What you are looking
for is gifts something you enjoy giving, some
thing you would be proud to else enjoy.
IA good test of what to give is whether you would be
glad to receive it yourself. ,~. kt5
To collect and distribute these gifts. effectively
Should not be difficult, if person in each COM
the rest of the community is willing to cooperate
committee should be formed to work with the organi-
cations which know who the needy are, so that the
gifts may be properly apportoned and distributed.
Everyone who reads this appeal can help push the
campaign The time for organization is now. Take it
up with your clubs and your churches draw upon the
energy and civic pride of the Rotary the Kiwanis
and the Lions Clubs and the experience of the well
fare agencies.
One of the agencies best qualified to cooperate
Army which has excellent facilities for collecting
such gifts and responds quickly to telephone call
There are many Others The Volunteers of America
distribute things to the families of in prison. The
social service departments of many hospitals dispose
of clothing The Goodwill Industries from Maine to
California, recondition clothes and household equip
ment in their shops, and the double purpose of
giving employment and salvaging discarded articles.
Tuskegee and Hampton Institutes, the Penn School
in South Carolina and the Calhoun School in Ala
bama know the needs of Negroes and are eager to
receive all kinds of useful goods The American Mer-
chant Marine Library Association, the Seamen's
Church Institute and the American Library Associa-
ton have branches in many cities and welcome good
books and magazines.
This movement could be made to echo through
every community in the United States. 1t would help
Ito draw communities together whether large or SMALL
it would make them conscious of the needs of those
who have too little and it would offer the chance for
la real community Christmas. Ministers would surely
be glad to announce this campaign from their pulpts
radio stations and newspapers would gladly give nfor
ma ton about it, In many communities firemen have
for years generously helped similar campaigns Mer-
chants Boy Scouts Girl Scouts would surely be help
full volunteers in the work of collecting the gifts
On Christmas morning attics would be
emptier, but Some bare homes would be better fur
Inished Moths might have less food this winter but
many human beings would be warmer
Here seems to me an idea which would be both far
reaching and good fun. Surely Americans have the
organization and good will to carry it
out successfully
Christmas is the time of year when we ought to
remember how much more blessed it is to give than it
is to keept