Evening star., 1949-12-24
Christmas
Continued From First Page.)

Girl Scout to bring the greetings
of the District to the city's num-
ber one resident. Mr.. Truman.
The tree will become a singing
tree" from the end of the lighting
ceremony through January 2, with
Christmas music and carols being
broadcast from its base every
evening.
AS Christmas drew closer and
closer, so many Christmas events
were planned by organizations
that it seemed scarcely possible
that some seasonal cheer would
not be brought to every one here.
no matter what his personal CTR
cumstances.
Gifts Have Doubled.
The United Community Serv-
ices, for instance, reported that
giving through the Christmas
Bureau has more than doubled
this year while the number of
gifts from Government agencies
has tripled.
I'VE have been able to bring
Christmas cheer to 2,551 families
this year." Mrs. Albert w. Atwood,
chairman Of the Christmas Bureau
Committee, said.
Mrs. Atwood said more than
1000 children have received toys
through the Students Aid of both
the District and Federated Con-
gress of Parents and Teachers
alone. Clothing also was dis
tributed through the Christmas
Bureau for the first time, she
added.
At st. Elizabeth's Hospital
more than 1000 patients are
waiting for Christmas morning
Already on the grounds of the in
stitution can be seen a myraid
of lighted trees.
Enjoyed by Patients.
"The patients love Christmas" "
commented Mrs. Arville Merrill,
chief occupational therapist. who
-ordinates the holiday program.
Many Of them have been work.
ing on presents for fellow pa
tients, friends and kin for months
Some who do not seem> to grasp
the meaning Of other holiday oc-
casions show a special interest In
this holiday"
Tomorrow morning, the last OF
many gifts will be distributed to
the patients. Church services
for all faiths have been arranged
A traditional turkey dinner will
be served. An all-day open house
will be held in the Red Cross
House there.
The Red Cross and scores Of
other organizations have beer
holding Christmas parties for the
patients all month. The District
Red Cross Christmas Committee
headed by Mrs. Roderick McKin-
non, serves as a clearing agency
for the dozens Of groups who have
been doing things for the patients
All military installations are
planning celebrations for the per.
sonnel unable to get leave tc
spend Christmas in their homes
"Tide Of Toys" Campaign.
Meanwhile, the American Le-
gion announced final plans fol
the local drive in its "Tide OF
Toys" campaign, through which
hopes to have every child in the
District contribute at least one
toy after Christmas Day for the
children Of Europe.
The Legion said contributions of
toys will be accepted at all police
precinct and fire stations in the
District beginning Monday. AT
the conclusion of the drive on
Januray 7 they will be collected
land sent to Philadelphia for ship
ment overseas.
The Yellow Cab Co. has offered
a feet Of taxis to assist In deliver
ing the toys to a central packing
point in the city.
All go Legion posts in Wash
ington proper. as well as their
auxiliary and Forty and Eight
groups. will participate in the 10
cal campaign. The collection OF
toys is . national project. with
the American Legion. a
The Legion asked that ehAdaen