Evening star., 1953-12-15
Many Items Not Yet Received
Mony Items Not Yet Received
UCS Christmas Bureau Helps You Say
Merry Christmas to Needy EFFECTIVELY
By Betty Miles

10Y "HSS
Nineteenth century matrons
who packed their baskets, dom
ned their bonnets and set out to
feed the widows and orphans at
Christmas deserve thanks for
their effort-but modern women
have more effective ways to give
less fortunate persons a merry
yule.
Every year since 1922 the
Christmas Bureau, set up by
United Community Services, has
been a clearing house for Christ
mas giving. This bureau, a part
of the information and referral
service department of UCS, does
not raise funds or give directly
to families, but refers individu-
ais and groups to agencies which
know the families to be helped,
and have reported these needs to
the Christmas Bureau.
Under the direction Of Mrs.
Jean Williams, formerly director
OF the Alexandria YWCA, the
bureau is open for calls at
Decatur 1880 from $3.50 to
S pm. each day through De-
cember "a. Mrs. Williams sug-
geSts three agencies and urges
the giverS to visit the agency of
their choice. if possible, to learn
about the persons they will be
helping.
Strengthening family life is
one OF the main objectives of
the program. This is not all
ways done in the obvious way.
One man suffered quite q
blow to his self-respect last year,
Mrs. Williams reported, when,
after saving to provide his fam
lily with a Christmas, he ar
rived home to find a well-mean-
ing neighbor putting up and
decorating tree.
Many families do need money
for their Christmas dinner. Ten
dollars given by club or in
dividual through a social agency
will make it possible for them
to have the dinner of their
choice at their own table in
their own home.
Children as Guests
Last year we had so requests
from persons who wanted a child
to share Christmas dinner in
their home," Mrs. Williams said.
1.-THE situation is that there
aren't many children available"
The word orphan" is really
out of date. Through the Gov
ernment'S aid to dependent =
children program, many mothers
are able to stay in their homes
with their children. Also, many
youngsters who have no parents
have been placed in foster homes.
Some will spend Christmas with
their sponsor in the Society of
Sponsors, or with relative.
1T isn't necessarily good for a
child to go into a strange home
for one day." Mrs. Williams
added. If there is no adult of
their acquaintance available to
invite them to dinner. they are
usually better of spending it
with the children they know"
About 168 requests came last
year from business groups. labor
unions, Government groups, high
school and other clubs, and
churches. for persons to help in
the holiday season.
Some, but not all, gave toys to
agencies that had requested
them. Some did other things.
Parties in general, at which the
children only succeed in getting
overexcited while candy comes
out their ears, are not encour-
aged. But those at which an
unusual treat is offered definitely
are.
This year the women who live
at the Meridian Hill Hotel are
putting on a marionette show
for so or so children from homes
and settlement houses.
Novy Pitches In
A young naval officer has ar
ranged for a group of boys from
the Industrial Home School to