WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1641, 7 January 1913, Page 6

WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY

'an APPEAL TO ENGLISHMEN •• .' , (To tho Editor.) :• V . "' Sir,—Will you kindly'allow me, through the medium of your columns, to make.an earnest appeal to your readers on behalf of the Waifs and Strays Society, which is an officially recognised organisation for the fescue and care of homeless and.destitute children/ as is evidenced by the fact that their Majesties the King and Queen aro patrons.' It is generally admitted that there.is no, more Chris Mike work than that in which the society is engaged, viz., the caring of the "waif" children of our Mother Country, arid there is no doubt that the question is ono of the most burning social probloms of the present day.: What would become of these poor, human derelicts it is haTd to, say, but it requires little imagination to <realise that >vere it not for such socieites as ours stretching forth a-saving hand and rescuing them from lives of sin and misery, they would in most cases go to swell the ranks of poverty arid crime., . The splendid result of the society's operations may be gathered from the fact that over 17,300 children have been received, under, its_ care since its •• establishment, the majority of whom are now Godfearing, , self-supporting, and • self-respect-ing men.and women, and living witnesses to the efficacy of its work. At present the society's family consists of more than 4300 boys and girls, who are being fed,clothed, and cared for in the 112 homes, 'or. boarded-out in the country with respect- , able foster-parents. Then there, is the emigration branch, which is principally, utilised for those children whom it is absolutely necessary 1 to separate as far as possible from their unworthy and disreputable relatives -and ■ in order that all the loving care and attention which has been bestowed upon them should not be wasted. For the maintenance of such a work, . funds must be forthcoming, and it is [ with this object in view. I am appealing . to your readers to show their interest and [ practical sympathy. Gifts both in money > and kind aro most acceptable, and would . bo most gratefully received at the ad-. ' drees below. Unfortunately at the prej sent time there is a serious overdraft on thß general fund, amounting to nearly ! .£3OOO, which is considerably hampering 1 our operations, and if the society's work t is not to be curtailed, it is most rieces- ! sary that the deficit should be extinguish- . Ed with the least possible delay. • Notwithstanding the large number of cases J already accepted, there still remain fn our 1 large cities and towns many little waifs , and strays who should be rescued from J lives of sin and degradation, and given a , chance in life. Subscriptions and donations, however r small, are earnestly solicited, and will be most gratefully received and acknowledged by the undersigned. Bankers s 1 London and South Western Bank, Kennington branch.—l am. etc., ;' 6 •"• E. DEM. RUDOLF. Old Town Hall, Kennington, London, 1 ' S.E., England, November 25,1912. /;