The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1960-12-17

worst storm in USA History, will
winds up to some 100 miles pc
hour, that swept through thu
Florida Area in early September
Not enough of us, no doubt, arr
aware of the plight of many o
the inhabitants of residents al
fected mostly by its vast destruc
ton. However, through maya
zine publication in Marathon
Fla, an article written by
Mrs. Hess and Mrs. Edith Watts
Reporters; Miss Bessie Whitman
Of the Whitman's Convalescen
Home, located 1876 East Crane
Blvd, became concerned about
members of our race in that area
After receiving first hand infor'
nation about conditions existing
there, Miss Whitman. who is q
Registered Nurse became so con
ccrned that she set out TO dc
something about it She gave a
report Of her efforts and results
as follows: The Red Cross in the
Marathon. Fla. area provided food
for those left homeless, but many
who had no insurance TO have
destroyed homes, replaced. slept
on the ground, and used sand
piles for pillows. She was inform
ed that there was a dire need
of clothing. electric fans, re.
frigerators, beds, bed clothing.
etc.
To help her in this great task,
she contacted friends, churches
and lodges. She even made per.
sonal appearances in a special
appeal for help TO aid those in
the storm area. Through untiring
efforts, and help by Mr. and
Mrs. Gallian. white friends. who
partially gave up their Printing
Shop duties 10 aid in this work
and others whose hearts were
touched. enough appliances, furni-
ture and clothing were received
to fill one van, n d IN n y
enough to pay for the van TO
deliver these articles to Mara.
thon, Fla
Miss Whitman further states that
the Atkinson Moving Company
owned and Managed by Mr.. At
Crimson gave up a great deal of
their time, and used their vans
to pick up the goods and appli-
ances over the city, and b. ouoN'
them to 1876 +. Grand Blvd. :. re
they were kept until they were
on their way to Fla. Her prayer
is that God will bless all who
helped in any way in this EN-.
Urgency, and she hopes that the
day will never come when she will
turn cold ear TO those in need,
and states that il she were asked
to do this job over again, that
she would. because she did not
undertake the drive to gain publ
city. but because her heart was
touched The People of Marathon,
Fla. have expressed their humble
thanks for all the goods that we're
personally distributed by Miss
Whitman. who took a plane to
Fla TO investigate the needs. and
made the distributions accord
ingly.
She distributed washing ma.
chimes, clothes for adults and
children, electric coasters. irons,
eleven stoves, including six cleo
trio, and five gas operated. Living
Room Suites, Beds and mattres-
SEES. She has made a special ap.
peal TO Congressman, President
Elect Kennedy. Vice President
Nixon. and the NAACP with the
hope that through these contacts
something will be done in the
form of housing, which is the
thing needed most in this area
at present. Miss Whitman stated
that the people living in the storm
stricken area need adequate faci.
lities. because she feels that where
people are congcsted together in
mass form, there is a tendency
to create crime, hold.ups. killings.
family disorganization, divorces.
parental discord. alcoholism, and
a generl LET down of the morale
OF the people who are trying
to drown their sorrows and lack
Of comfort.
NEW HARMONY BAPTIST
cHoiRS SPONSOR XMAS CON.
CERT
The Mass Ch0irsof New Har.