American National Red Cross; Red Cross and Red Crescent
After we took charge, a faithful record was kept, and when there was a
mark of any kind to show us where the goods came from, an acknowledgment
was sent at once. Many, many things came without a sign of any
directions to tell where they were from. In these cases close watch was
kept for any writing inside to give some clew. I have even taken the
newspaper the box, barrel or parcel was lined with, and tried in that
way to reach the donors.
The people of the United States are a most generous people, and yet so
modest with it, that they very often miss the verification of the saying
that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Could they stand, as
do the members of the National Red Cross, and look into the glad,
grateful faces of the relieved ones, there would be no need of our
president sending out circulars and letters all over the country,
praying that articles for the relief be plainly marked. Would it be out
of place for me to urge the good people who read this report to remember
this when sending to the next field?
The distribution of the clothing had to be systematically planned. Here
was a territory 150 miles long by 50 miles wide, not on the main land,
but on islands, surrounded by water, with the most treacherous channels,
and many impossible to even get into. The people to be helped, kind and
industrious, but they had been dependent from their cradles, and were in
such a dazed condition, they hardly knew what had overtaken them.
The clothing, plenty of it, but all for adults. What was to become of
the little waifs of the wind, rain and high tide? Evidently these goods
had to be fashioned into little garments.
Bedding, comparatively none, and every few minutes the plea, "Please
miss, just a little bedding to keep the chilluns warm at night."
I have stood at my table from 7 a.m. until way into the night, opening
boxes, barrels and parcels, and not one piece of bedding to come to my
hands. The people on half rations, thinly clothed and nothing to keep
them warm of a night.
This, as well as all other puzzling questions, were referred to our most
honored president, and I have asked her to tell how she came to the
rescue, and by her wise forethought not only assisted her own workers,
but placed a responsibility upon the people that made them help each
other, and gave them a self-respect that they would have gained in no
other way.
THE SEWING CIRCLES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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