1918-12-14rr

The cessation of conflict on November 11, 1918 did not mean that there was a cessation of war-related fund-raising efforts in Hamilton.

One of the key organizations involved in on-going efforts to request charitable donations was the Great War Veterans’ association.

On December 14, 1918, the Hamilton Herald published the following letter from the organization’s secretary-treasurer of its West Hamilton branch,  A. W. Cooke, regarding a $15 donation just received from the women workers in the cigarette department of the Tuckett Tobacco company:

“That shows a spirit that so far has not be shown by any other factories. What is the matter with the girls in the woolen mills and numerous other factories that have many departments full of girls? Surely if the census were taken nin each factory and each one was to give 25 cents it would amount to a grand total of several hundred dollars.

”Come along now, girls, the ‘flu’ ban has been on for some time past. What about the quarters and half dollars you have saved from the movies etc.? Would you like to be in a position of some of the little mothers who have so nobly sacrificed and given their all, in order that he might go and defend his country and you? You know fully well a mother’s love that no one but a mother fully understands. Are there any of you who would shun and spurn a little kiddie in the hour of need, and in the day of trouble? When you see a little boy or girl crying on the street does your heart not go out to him or her? If you have the opportunity, don’t you go to him or her and say, ‘Never mind, don’t cry, you will be all right now and pat them on the back, and try to cheer them up? Of course you do. I have seen you do it myself.

“Here is your opportunity now to help. You won’t be able to go into all these homes and see the little ones looking for Santa Claus. You won’t be able to see the big eyes fill up with tears when there is little or nothing in their stocking from Santa. These are the sights the world does not see, and they are the saddest of all. The poor, little, unprotected, unthought of children of the men who sacrificed all in order that you might be spared from the ravages suffered in Belgium and France.

“You see pictures here and there portraying those conditions in Belgium and France, and you say, ‘No, it is impossible, this is all too horrible to be true.’ Let me tell you is all true and only too true, as it always was and ever will be. Truth is always stranger than fiction.

“Girls not only in factories, but in offices, department stores and those who are fortunate enough in being able to stay out of business, get together, give what little you can. Maybe the day will come when the iron hand of fate will descend on you and yours. Wouldn’t you like to think that someone thinks of You”¹

¹ “Help Kiddies : Give to the Christmas Tree Fund.”

Hamilton Herald.    December 14, 1918.