Evening star., 1945-12-25
Gifts for Needy
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By Gretchen Smith
Women's Club Editor

Goodwill toward men" is not
merely matter OF lip service to
members Of the Washington Coun-
Gil of Churchwomen but a policy
which they have put into practice
this Christmas.
AS the result of one of their pro-
grams which has occupied thought,
energy and sacrifice of many over
period of weeks, thousands of
children and lonely men and women
will be made bit happier today.
For many days, packages Of every
size and shape, containing toys,
articles of clothing and various
Christmas goodies" have been
pouring into the councils head
quarters on N street where, under
the direction Of Mrs. Irving
Ketchum, president; Miss Eta Mai
Russell, executive. secretary, and
Mrs. Ira Shimaski, assistant secre-
tary, they have been assembled and
assorted for distribution today.
Gifts Of money amounting to
more than $4,000 have been collected
by the churchwomen and distributed
among some Of the most needy
families under the care of the
Juvenile Court, enabling the mothers
to purchase what will be most ac-
ceptable to the children.
The presents which have been
sent by high school boys and girls,
elderly men and women as far away
as College Park, and thousands Of
women comprising the membership
of the council, include a variety
of articles which will be found
useful and entertaining to men,
women and children at various in
stitutions in the city.
Interviewed at council headquar-
ters few days ago, as gayly wrap
ped packages were delivered at the
door in a seemingly endless stream,
Mrs. Ketchum smiled happily as
she witnessed these evidences of
generosity.
when one comes into the Office
and sees the response of the pub
lie to appeals for help for the less
fortunate, there is realization
that the terrible commercialism OF
Christmas so apparent in the down.
town shopping districts, does not
exist here" she commented. 1T
has been wonderful to see the kind
ness of the people who have given
so generously. Those with money
have given money, those with less
money have also given, and those
with no money have given of their
time and efforts. The Office has been
a great channel of love toward our
fellow men and is a small preview of
the meaning of world peace"
AS Mrs. Ketchum spoke, the door
opened and a middle-aged woman
entered bearing a box Opening it
she displayed several packages, care
fully and arnstically wrapped in gay
Christmas dressings. One package
had been designated for distribu-
ton to child, another to man at
Lorton reformatory and others for
women. The council president told
how Chaplain Dan Potter of Lorton,
described the holiday spirit which
has pervaded the institution this
year and how the inmates have
striven to bring some cheer by
decorating doors and corridors with
colored paper decorations.
Today, all of these men and women
will receive a gift through the ef-
forts of the council.
Faith in the message of Christ
mas is also shared with Mrs.
Ketchum by Mrs. Shimaski, who was
one of the group of loyal Japanese
Americans obliged to suffer intern
ment.
Born in Salinas, Calf, pretty little
Mrs. Shimaski is second gener-
alton Japanese American, whose
parents came from Japan as young
sters after having been converted
to Christianity.
Mrs. Shimaskiis brother, Lloyd