GIFT AFTERNOON

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 4, 29 September 1933, Page 5

GIFT AFTERNOON

Levin Memorial Home

"This is one of the homes not always before the public asking for help,” said Mrs. Knox Gilmer in opening the “gift tea” at the Levin Memorial Home yesterday afternoon. “It relies for maintenance on private subscription and efforts such as this.” There was present a large number of interested people, who brought gifts, bought at the stalls, and watched the children going through their drill and dancing. The Levin Home was built in memory of the late Mr. W. H. Levin, with money raised by public subscription, for the care and training of girls from two to sixteen years of age, whose guardians are unable to support them. It is undenominational, and the object of the upbringing is to turn out girls thoroughly efficient in all branches of domestic work. The'tiny ones attend a kindergarten close to the home, and the older girls go to the Berhampore District School. If possible each girl serves in the kitchen under the direct supervision of the matron, Miss Richardson, for the two last years of her stay, being taught the practical side of the buying and selecting of food, as well as cooking and general kitchen work. The surroundings are homelike and particularly cheerful. In the dormitories the beds, which stand in rows, are covered with white counterpanes bordered yrith pink and embroidered where they turn up over the pillows with large pink monograms which were worked by the matron. The window curtains are of the same rose-pink easement cloth as the bands on the quilts. A dear little lass named Rose was in the sick-room, sitting up in a pink enamelled cot with a dainty pink hug-me-tight over her white nightie, the only occupant of the pleasant room and there only because of a cold. No home of her own could have given her more comforts.

The sewing for the children’s clothes is done by volunteer workers, and there is a regular supply from the Two-Gar-ment Society. The pupils of Marsden School give one penny week each toward the upkeep of the home, and parents who are able to pay a small regular amount. There are at present 26 children, for ten of whom no money is paid. Mrs. Knox Gilmer received a charming bouquet from one of the smallest girls on behalf of them all. Miss Archibald, the president, and Mrs. Albert Stace received the guests.

An interesting display of dancing and singing was given by the children, who were trained by Miss Carwell Cooke and Miss Hoag. An excellent demonstration of first aid was given by the senior girls, trained by Miss Osborne. Mrs. Knox Gilmer presented the certificates. Mrs. Archibald, Mrs. McEldowney, Mrs. Eric Luke, and Mrs. Longmore presided over a stall containing a large assortment of home-make cakes, which found a realy sale. Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Holdsworth, Misses Gillespie, Mrs. Kent and Mrs. Jowett had the flowers and plants stall. A most attractive Stall was the children’s one, where many pretty and useful articles made by them and friends were sold. Mrs. Meek, Mrs. ’Poole, Mrs. Willoughby, Miss Greenwood and the senior girls were in charge.

Afternoon tea was dispensed by Mrs. Stace, Miss Barry, and Miss Young, assisted by Mrs. Alister Young, Mrs. McArthur, Mrs. Shepherd, Misses Morrow, McLeod, McDougall, Hume, Johnson and Shepherd. The total proceeds amounted to £7O, and gifts of clothing, groceries, etc., were received. The guessing competition for the cakes kindly donated by the Rowland Cake Kitchen was won by Miss Stuart and Miss Greig.