Evening star., 1953-05-24
Clubs Collect
Stamps for
Veterans
By Frances Lide

Junior clubwomen in the Gen.
eral Federation Of Women's
Clubs last year collected more
than a million foreign and
United States commemorative
stamps for a project that is
reaching patients in 167 vet
erans' hospitals.
In addition, they contributed
a total of 81, 800 in cash for al
buns and other supplies needed
in connection with this Red
Cross-supervised recreation pro-
gram.
These are highlights Of a re-
port to be given tomorrow by
Mrs. Arthur Crom of San Diego,
Calf, director of junior clubs
for the General Federation Of
Women's Clubs.
Mrs. Crom, who arrived in
Washington last week for the
General Federation convention
opening here tomorrow, pointed
out that stamps for wounded
veterans" is the national junior
project.
The stamps, which go into in
dividual collections and stamp
clubs, fulfill the double purpose
of recreation and therapy, she
explained.
In addition to veterans hoSpi-
tails in this country. they are
sent to base hospitals in Japan
and surgical tents in Korea for
U. N. and ROK troops.
Mrs. Crom'S files are full of
letters of appreciation.
A typical thank-you note from
Korea enthuSed: This is one
type of recreation that has no
language barrier"
And a veteran, hospitalized in
this country, wrote: your
stamps take my mind off of
white ceilings and a black
future"
Some of the senior interna-
tional clubs have become inter-
ested in the project and dona-
tions were received during the
past year from Norway, Belgium,
Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Ar
gentina, Mexico and the Philip
pines.
1T takes SO pounds of stamps
and costs about $1O8 to set up a
stamp unit in a hospital" Mrs.
Crom said. And, if you are in
terested in more statistics, there
are about $50 stamps in each
pound!"
The stamp project is now in
its sixth year.
Last year the juniors decided
to offer prizes for States making
the largest donations. Ten
awards, including sweepstakes
prize, will be announced tomor-
row.
The Junior members of the
federation will participate in the
general convention but they also
will hold their own sessions.
Highlights will include a ban
quet tonight and business ses-
sion tomorrow. both at the
Mayflower Hotel.
Miss Doris Long of Chew
Chpse. who served as president
CT the Maryland Junior Clubs
during the past year, will act as
OfIic. al hostess. assisted by the
junior department of the Mary
land Federation.
Tonight's banquet, scheduled
for $50 O'Clock will be followed
by a meeting for reports from
State leaders. Later a reception
will be given at 10 o'clock.
Tomorrow morning will be de-
voted to tours of Washington,
with members of the Maryland
junior clubs providing cars for
transportation.
The formal junior business
session will begin at l pm. to-
morrow, with Mrs. Crom presid-
ing. The guest speakers will be
Cleo Dawson, author and lee
turer, and Mrs. Eleanor B.
Clark, executive director of the
Girls Clubs of America.
Business will include reports
from chairmen of the Divisions
on Americanism, Youth Coop
Grafton, Family Councils and
Moral and Spiritual Values.
The group also will nominate
o candidate for CIVIC junior di-
rector, an Office that will be
filled next year.
The junior membership in the
General Federation totals ap-
proximately $4,000 in 1900 clubs.
This includes LOG clubs admitted
this year.