THE WIDOW'S MITE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 166, 29 May 1940, Page 6

THE WIDOW'S MITE

FUNDS FOR SICK AND WOUNDED SACRIFICE AND COURAGE SHOWN Some extraordinary and touching examples of generous giving are reported from the headquarters of the Sick, Wounded find Distress Fund Appeal at Wellington. The drive for this greatest of all charities — the sick and wounded—has struck a responsive chord in the heart of the New Zealand public, and letters coming into the fund headquarters give evidence of sacrifice and courage. A notable instance reported last week was a £50 note sent in an envelope attached to an advertisement coupon and simply marked "Aunty" no other name c.r address was given. "I would like to know her name,'' said Mr J. Abel, Dominion Organiser )f the Appeal in acknowledging the gift, "because I would like to shake her hand and tell her how much she has helped us." A story of courage lies behind the letter l'rom a woman in Auckland who sent £1. "I wish it could be £100," she wrote, "but I have been i widow for many years and my only son is in the army, and this is ill I can manage." An aged couplc at Lower Hutt, Wellington, sent 9/6 and said": "We are only poor old people, but we will send a little more as soon as possible." Others write in similar strain and provide true evidence that the widow's mite is being thrown into the national fund to bring comfort and consolation to those who a~e destined to suffer in the field of tI 'ie. A postal note for 2/(> eanie with i note attached. "This is mv first reek's donation, but I will endeavuir to forward 10/- every or lore in the hope that my little-bit will help-our soldiers." These examples have proved' extremely heartening to the energetic organisers of the .appeal,, who slaf.p that if this spirit-becomes nal iona* tlie goal of; .€250,(100 will bp passe;) when thq campaign closes.