Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-07-21
Home Defense Notes:
Women Here
Doing Great
War Work
ANUS Victory Aides,
Prove Their Worth
BY KEN HALL

Dy NV HALL
There are two women's organi-
cations doing a great job in aiding
both home defense and the war
effort in Detroit. They are the
Detroit chapter of the American
Womens Voluntary Service and
the Victory Aides" a home-born
organization which is functioning
in the home itself.
These two groups have been
going quietly about the business OF
organizing the housewives. office
girls and other women TO fit them
into the general defense picture
where they will do the most good
There are many activities in
cluded in the curriculum OF the
AWVS including formation Of fire
watchers, instruction classes or
vital subjects pertaining to both
peace and war times. air raid pre-
cautions, fire prevention. home
repairs. consumer education. q
physical fitness course and aiding
in bonds and stamps sales.
ORGANIZE BY BLOCKS
The aides" organize the house
wives In neighborhood groups by
blocks. It's members agree TO Co
operate in every way possible In
local. state and federal activities ir
every civilian defense effort and to
extend help in time of need, also
to assist the salvage drives in the
home.
Unite and Serve" is the AWVS
motto and its local membership
now has reached 1900 with a ma.
tional roll of 100000. The Aides
already have organized 5000 city
blocks and have offices at 81 West
Warren avenue.
Mrs. Ernest x. Matlock is chair
man OF the Detroit Unit AWVS
which was organized in June, 194l
and has offices in the Kales Build
ing.
Already 400 women have been
trained in fire prevention classes
throughout the city. The course
includes both fire prevention and
air raid precautions.
INSTRUCTORS ON CALL
Instructors are furnished on cal
for groups in any part Of the city
The organization also has beer
aiding in the bond and stamp sale
drive by manning booths in vari.
Gus sectors.
Its members, upon completion
of so hours of service. are entitled
10 wear the natty soldier-blue uni
forms officially adopted by the
body.
The aides" teach the house
wives how TO conserve food, pro-
vide the nourishing menus for the
family TO fit them for the war
work, take care of victory garden
ing. and salvaging of useful ar
ticles for the governments needs
in metals, rubber, paper, greases
etc.
Their work Is strictly of the
home variety and organization is
done by direct contact in each
block of the city. Both the Aides
and AWVS are affiliated in the
OCD setup.
First steps in organizing the
Office of Civilian Defense mes
senger service will be taken to-
night when instructor classes open
in the Wayne University from
TO 10 p. m.
After 200 instructors are gradu-
ated in mid-August they will &c
about the work of grooming the
boys who now are enlisting for
this branch Of the OCD home de-
tense plan.
Glenn c. Richards, associate CO.
for the metropolitan
Detroit district will talk TO the
class members on the general plan
for the messengers while Inspector
<. c. Denstaedt in charge of COM
munications will give instruction
along these line. There also will
be a showing Of films, slides and
charts.
The 200 Observation-Disclosures 10
be groomed as leaders of the mes
senger unit all have been selected
for those with experience in youth
activities in the Boy Scouts, set
Elements. schools. boys clubs or
recreational leaders.
This evening at Codd Field
Blaine and Woodward avenues
there will be an air raid warden
volunteers rally at which 20C
women wardens from all parts OF
the city will parade, led by Miss
Edith Shelter, assistant warden oil
Zone 3. Area ), which is conduct.
ing the rally.
This district bounded by Four.
teenth, Twelfth. Collingwood
Stanley. Hamilton and the High.
land Park city limits. now has 10C
trained wardens and needs SOC
more.
1t is hoped 10 fill the quota al
tonight's meeting
The rally starts at 8 o'clock and