Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-14
Cash for Needy
Suggested for
Practical Yule
Church WOmen's
Council officer
Cites Advantages
By Frances Lide.

It's joyful task to fill Christmas
baskets and take them to needy
families during the Yuletide holi-
days.
But it's a lot more practical-and
more charitable, TOTO give a
mother the money to buy her own
households Christmas, in the opin-
ion of the Washington Council of
Church Women
When the mother can 60 out and
purchase her family's Christmas
gifts, youngsters are spared that
feeling of being the objects of char
ity, Miss Eta Mai Russell, the
councils executive secretary, points
out.
Often it's not even necessary for
the children to know that the gifts
represent an outsiders contribution.
In fact, they really come from
Santa Claus"
The council has learned that the
mother of family often Is fine
bargain-hunter, knowing just what
her brood needs and how to cut
corners to fill those needs to the
best advantage.
About 200 Families Listed.
With about 200 families on its
list to be cared for this year, the
organization is busy collecting the
funds to provide practical, as well
as happy Christmas for approx
mately $50 children and 400 adults.
Although many families on the
list can pay some of their running
expenses, they are definitely on
submarginal standard of living.
Perhaps the rent can be taken care
of and there is some money for
food. But there's nothing for Eek
tras"-and that means Christmas,
too.
Council policy is to provide funds
for an article of clothing and a toy
for each child and to see that each
adult gets an article of clothing.
Ten dollars will care for a small
family: from SIS to sl8 for
medium sized family and $25 for
q large household. But cash gifts
of any denomination are welcomed
at the council Office at ISL N
street NV.
For those who have talent for
making pretty holiday packages,
however, the church women have
another program. There is a year.
round project at Gallinger Hospital
which takes on added impetus at
Christmas and "happytime" boxes
are a special feature this year.
A "happytime" box is pretty
package containing several small
gifts suitable for either a boy or a
girl OF a given age. A description
on the outside indicates for what
type person the box is intended.
Similar packages are being pre-
pared this year for adults in the
tuberculosis and isolation wards.
The council also is soliciting candy,
fruit or plain cookies for the Gal
linger patients. as we'll as trees and
decorations to be set up in the wards.
Program for Alley Residents.
A third phase of the organiza-
tons Christmas program is its twi-
light carol service held on Christ
mas eve in Washington's inhabited
alleys. Originated seven years ago
by Miss Russell, the alley service is
arranged as a time for inspiration
and companionship.
Residents gather about trees set
up In each of the alleys and
Christmas worship program is held.
Although groups sponsoring the
individual services frequently supply
gifts for families living in the alleys,
here, too, the privacy of the home
is respected and the packages are
delivered early in the day before
the crowds gather.
Mrs. Roosevelt always attends one
of the services and this year will
make her appearance at the George
town program held on Wisconsin
avenue at K and Grace streets NV.
Mrs. Harry Warner Frantz, assisted
by Mrs. George Everett of the ST.
Adams Branch of the Womens
Auxiliary of the Episcopal Church,
is to be in charge
All of the carol services are being
planned under the leadership of
Mrs. Harold B. Rogers.
Mrs. Joy Elmer Morgan Is the
council president.