OUR WILLARD HOME.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 374, 18 August 1926, Page 1

OUR WILLARD HOME.

It is often asked, “What is the W.C.T.U. doing?” That means in actual practical work. The W.C.T.U. has about 8,000 members pledged abstainers. It’s branches hold monthly meetings, whose educative value are enormous. It has many children in its L.T.L’s. and Bands of Mercy, who are being trained in our principles—the 3 P’s., Prohibition, Purity and Peace. It publishes an official organ, “The White Ribbon,' which has a circulation of well over 4,f)00. This keeps Unions in touch with every branch of its Dominion work. Also, contains articles dealing with the world-wide war against alcohol and Mars, and telling of the idvanee every land is making in its light for the advancement of women, and the safe-guarding of the home. Its practical work in this Dominion is steadily growing. It has nearly

£I,OOO put away in the bank for the purchase of Headquarters. It runs a W.C.T.U. Hostel in Auckland, and it has a Seamen's Rest in Timaru and Greymouth, and New Plymouth is now raising funds for a Seamen's Rest. Willard Home caters for the children w'ho have none to care for them, and is a work which peculiarly appeals to mother-hearted women.

Mrs Crabb, President of the Home Committee, and Mrs Rirdsall, are indefatigable in their labours. The following letter from Mrs Crabb will be of great interest to all our readers. Dear Sisters, Every branch of the W.C.T.U. will have received a copy of the appeal for

assistance for the Willard Home for children at Palmerston North, and our Editor thought that some facts about the Home would be interesting to the readers of the White Ribbon. During the Great War, the Palmerston North branch of the W.C.T.L. organized a Hostel for soldiers wives and children. At the end of its usefulness, they had several hundreds of pounds worth of furniture on their hands, and decided to use it in >rganizing a Home for children who needed a home for any cause. They started in a small way to gain experience. The Home accommodated 19 children and two of a staff, a most satisfactory staff. The Home has always been approved of by the Government inspectors. The children vary from 2 or £ years old, to 10 or twelve. At present, there are 14 hoys and 5 girls; sometimes the girls predominate. Thanks to the generosity of the W.C.T.t . branches

and the general public, we have never lacked for money, and have now just over one thousand poun Is for increased accommodation and conveniences which are urgently needed. At present, there are 7 out of the 19 children who are destitute of money, and are entirely dependent on the Home. The supply of second-hand clothing received from our W.C.T.U. friends keep the children well clothed, and the surplus sold at Jumble Sales brings in about £6O a year. Mrs Barnett and Mrs Collins with

about a dozen ladbes meet every week to mend and to remake the clothing. We have our surplus land under offer to the Government as a building site for a new school, which would assist us in our extension schemes.. We hope the W.C.T.U. branches look upon this Home for children as their own. It belongs to the W.C.T.U. of New Zealand, and we know the welfare of the children is dear to every member. A hearty

welcome is extended to one and all to visit the Home whenever possible. P. CRABB, President. Mrs Crabb writes that when they carry out their extension scheme, they hope to include a small infant department, as it is found impossible to handle babies with the present limited staff and space.