About four decades before the Monroe Woman’s Club initiated the Christmas Stocking Club to help the poor families of Monroe who had children be able to celebrate the holiday, several local organizations stepped up to help. The Women’s Relief Corps provided assistance to the poor for several years. The Christmas Stocking Club now operates through donations made by community members and organizations to provide meals and toys for more than 400 families.
An article in the December 23, 1921 Monroe Evening Times stated, “No Monroe families will go without a Christmas dinner because of necessity.” For many years the WRC had provided baskets of provisions and food for deserving families in the city. They received help from various organizations that year including the Monroe Badger club, which gave $68, and the Kiwanis club, which contributed $45. The Pythian Sisters and the Glen Zilmer post of the American Legion also contributed. “About 30 families will be given Christmas dinners. Most of them will be given complete dinners while some families will be given food.” The Girl Scouts gathered and distributed toys “to children in unfortunate circumstances.”
It was shared on December 16 of the following year that the WRC would add books that year. “In quite a number of the needy homes, say the ladies who frequently visit there, it is found that the children have no books of their own. One little boy who has outgrown some of the books he received when younger donated eleven books to be given other children at Christmas time.”
That gave the women of WRC the idea to ask “that the little boys and girls of the city who no longer have use for their books” to leave them at the home of Mrs. Charles Ball on North Adams street [now 22nd Avenue] so they could be “distributed among children who will love them at Christmas time.” The WRC was preparing 37 baskets of provisions and would need about 80 books. Secondhand toys were also accepted to be placed in the baskets.
It was reported a week later that more than 50 homes in Monroe “were made more cheery for Christmas today when they were presented” with the baskets. Charles Ball assisted two “Santas” in delivering the baskets and toys. Their automobile was “gayly, decorated with evergreens, bells, and banners.” Each basket contained a variety of 10 articles of food; toys were included for the homes where there were children. They were distributed to worthy and needy families about the city. “The baskets are said to be very complete in every detail and are sure to gladden the hearts of those receiving them.”
The WRC, which was instituted in Monroe on May 20, 1885, had been distributing Christmas meals for a few years prior to 1921. It was reported on December 24, 1913 that they “as in the past, will distribute Christmas cheer” among the needy of the city. The 22 baskets that they prepared contained complete Christmas dinners. Several other clubs and societies were “also planning to dispense charity in the form of food, clothing, and toys to families deserving of aid.”
The following year 27 baskets were distributed the day before Christmas. That Christmas dinner consisted “of one chicken, cranberries, celery, coffee, tea, sugar, butter, fresh pies, nuts, and candies, and would feed from four to eight people.” There had been no reports in the newspapers of the WRC providing Christmas meals from 1914 through 1920.
It was announced on June 16, 1923 that, “Underprivileged children of the city and families who were remembered at Christmas time will be given tickets to the chautauqua beginning Tuesday evening through the generosity of the Kiwanis club members.” Clarke Dodge started the ball rolling when he turned $14 that had been given to him by the club for conveying Boy Scouts to their camping ground into a fund for tickets. Other members “swelled the total that will be used to provide the entertainment that might otherwise be denied.” Those children interested in Junior Chautauqua were asked to meet at 9:30 on Tuesday morning, June 19, at Market Square [the southwest corner of 16th Avenue and 15th Street], where the junior director would have charge of the work.
The Kiwanians stepped up again the following year when they entertained 110 children on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. “Expectant and eager faces glowed with happiness” that afternoon at the Washington Theatre.” [The Washington Theater was located at 1514 11th Street, across from the former parking ramp.] Christmas carols were sung by the Kiwanians and an entertaining movie was shown. “Bright eyes popped wide when rosie [sic] cheeked Santa Claus stepped from nowhere and began distributing presents among the children. A Christmas tree was placed outside the theater for their enjoyment. There were stockings, mittens, and other warm clothing which just fit them, besides the bag of candy and nuts.”
Monroe continues to follow the example that was set by our forebears. Monroe still has many generous residents who look out for others and support local organizations. For this reason, I am very thankful to be back in Monroe after almost 40 years away. Let’s hope that this concept in Monroe is never lost!
I wish you the happiest Christmas that you can have as well as the very best in the new year. Remember those wonderful memories from Christmases past. Remember those who are no longer with us. Treasure those who are with us now and continue to create memories with the younger generations. Don’t forget those old-time family traditions.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
