ANNUAL APPEAL TODAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 296, 16 December 1942, Page 4

ANNUAL APPEAL TODAY

MOTHERS’ HELPERS’ SOCIETY With the object of supplying housekeepers to homes in which the mother is ill or in a maternity home, Wanganui Mothers Helpers’ Society was formed in 1938, and since then over 200 homes have been assisted. The affairs of the society are in the hands of a small committee, with Mrs. A. H. Mac Lean as president, and the working expenses of this committee have never exceeded £7 a year, which includes bank charges, rent, advertising and stationery. The activities of the society are, however, restricted by lack of income, and today a street appeal wil be held to augment the funds. Two housekeepers are attached to the society. During the past year they have worked in 44 homes, where there were families from one to ten children. Where the full wages cannot be afforded the society subsidises it, and each year between £lOO and £l4O is paid out in subsidy. Soldiers’ wives are charged half price, and eight have been helped during the past year. Other cases include 18 maternity cases and 24 with sickness in the home. In previous years one or two casual housekeepers have been attached to the society, but because of the war and reduced income they had to be dispensed with. Always there are more calls for help than can be filled ny the society, and with money from the appeal and a bigger membership (with subscriptions at 5s a year) the committee hopes to be able to send h ip into an increasing number of homes next year.