1914-12-24noo

“When old Kris Kringle starts out on his rounds tonight, he will have his work cut out for, according to the orders he has received from his chief advisors, not one house in Hamilton is to be overlooked”

Hamilton Spectator.     December 24, 1914.

Readers of the Hamilton Spectator issue of December 24, 1914 were heartened to learn that many people all over the city were working hard to make it a happy Christmas day for every Hamiltonian.

There were people that, according to the Spectator, were making efforts to ensure that “Kris Kringle” would have no problems carrying out his duties:

“The chimney sweeps have been working overtime in order to give the old fellow a clean reception when he creeps down in the dead of night and brightens the hearts of the little kiddies of all classes and creeds by leaving sweets, toys and other things that will make the little folks realize that it is a day of joy and festivity.”¹

¹ “Kris Kringle Will Make his Tour Tonight : Not One House in Hamilton to Be Overlooked”

Hamilton Spectator.    December 24, 1914.

In previous Christmas holidays in Hamilton, a variety of societies had worked independently to provide for those in need, particularly distributing the fixings for a hearty Christmas meal and gifts for young people.

In 1914, an umbrella organization, the United Relief association was in force to avoid duplication and inefficiencies in the provision of Christmas help to those Hamiltonians in need. The other organization at work in that area of assistance in 1914 was the Police Relief association:

“The aim is to see that no child goes without a toy tomorrow nor without the usual bag of candies, an orange and good things to eat.

“The association has furnished charitably disposed people with the names of 3,500 children whom Santa would not visit under ordinary conditions, and the arrangements have worked out so well that the old chap has every one of the 3,500 names on his itinerary, and will reach all.

“The police have also taken a hand in the good fellow’s movements and are looking after families in the east end.

“At the United Relief headquarters this morning, two policemen had to be called in to help handle the crowd which visited the place to secure food for tomorrow’s dinner. The association distributed 1,900 roasts of beef today, ranging in weight  from six to twelve pounds, according to the size of the family

“The St. George’s, St. Andrew’s and other societies worked in conjunction with the relief association, securing their provisions there , but making their own distribution in the usual way. Over 14,200 pounds of good b eef were given away to the needy for tomorrow’s dinner.”¹

As for the Hamilton police, their efforts at helping those in need were characteristically well-organized :

“Ninety-two baskets, heavily laden with candies, nuts, oranges, clothes, toys and food, were whisked away from the Central police station this morning in automobiles and distributed to really needy and deserving families.

“The civic automobiles were graciously placed at the disposal of the police, and sergeants , detectives and policemen went at work with a spirit that was refreshing and wholly in keeping with the Yuletide season.

“The police know of every deserving case and they are working hand in hand with the United Relief association so that there will be no overlapping.”¹

For Christmas day itself, the Salvation army soldiers in Hamilton were prepared to work hard in service:

“It is expected that 600 single men will be fed at the Metropole.

“The dinner will be a real old-time one, consisting of beef, potatoes and vegetables, with the usual plum pudding.

“The dinner will be followed by an address by Brigadier Adby and singing of appropriate Christmas music.

“The army has also arranged to give a dinner to the inmates at bthe jail, with another program of music.

“The officers of the Army have been busy for weeks arranging for the dinners and the League of Mercy has also done splendid work in rounding up the unfortunate ones who will be made glad.”¹