JOY IN PROSPECT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21970, 19 December 1936, Page 16

JOY IN PROSPECT

"THE PRESS SHIP" GIFTS CHRISTMAS GLADNESS FOR POOR HOMES Up the stairs came a little girl carrying a gargantuan tightly-packed stocking. Her face was alight with the joy of giving, and ,her eyes shining. She was a member of "The Press Ship" Busy Fingers Club, and she had carefully prepared the stocking as a Christmas gift for some child less fortunate than herself. Any thought of envying the recipient of that splendid present never entered her head. She was a shining example of the truth of the old adage that it is more blessed to give than receive. She was only one of many. That the effort was a children's one, and that the thousands of gifts on view had been contributed by girls and boys, singly and in clubs, was perhaps the thing that most impressed the many visitors who called at "The Press" office yesterday. AH day long the visitors came and went, and all day long, too, the stream of gifts flowed in. Port Levy sent a collection of woodwork toys that would have done credit to any body of adult workers; from a South Westland club came a variety 0.. useful articles; Rokeby came to town with a woolly quilt, and a parcel that looked knobbly and interesting. The basic principle of "The Press Ship" Christmas mission work is one of service to the community. And it is one that seems to appeal to the girls and boys chiefly concerned. Some of the children who have contributed to the work are very young. Yesterday, for instance, a small boy came up to Lady Gay's rooms clasping a threepence in a hot little hand. For toys for a little boy," he said. He had carefully grown three lettuces, and sold them to his mother to raise funds for the Christmas mission. He went away feeling vastly philanthropic and contented, and probably visioning a host of toys purchased with such unlimited funds. But the seeds of something worth while had been sown in his mind. The variety of gifts sent in by the children is astonishing. The standard is high. There is nothing of the "good enough for the poor" variety. On the contrary nothing is too good. The ! children have put their hearts into their work, and adults would find it difficult to better their record. Lists are n/w being prepared, and these include the names of many elderly and lonely people whose Christmas Day will be brightened by the thought of the Shipmates and Sunbeams. The presents intended for these old people have been carefully chosen, and range from hot water bottles, with covers of ■ course to warm knitted shawls, tea ! pots, and the hundred and one little luxuries so much appreciated. i To-day, at the offices of the Christchurch Gas company, Ltd., puddings, from material purchase by the Shipmates and Sunbeams of Lady Gay's Family, will be mixed and boiled. In the past this pudding-mixing day, when the Gas Company entertains the little cooks, nas been one of the redletter occasions in the "Press Ship" calendar. This year, however, the mothers will do the mixing while the children, obeying the decree of the health officers, remain at home. Next week, packing will begin, and on Christmas Eve parcels will be delivered at homes in the city. The work of delivery is a heavy one, and Ladv Gay will be glad to hear of cars available for the purpose.