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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1955)
G O o o k tern r i , ; - CiMt - - -, t&&4 VlA I- - This year Medford Ladv Elks will carrv on a Christmas Droiect at the Camp White Veterans' domiciliary. A committee headed by Mrs. Fred Rehling will decorate trees for some of the wards and will arrange the familiar tinsel and bright Christmas balls which help to make the season gay. Pictured are Mrs. Robert Forbes (foreground). Lady Elks president, and Mrs. Rehling looking over silver bells and other bright baubles. -.Chin-up club members in Jackson county spread Christmas cheer by making cards and favors for patients in convalescent homes, those living at the Farm home and those on the club's list of shut-ins. Shown working here are Mrs. Albert E. Davis (at, left) and Mrs. Gordon Bowman, president ref the club. Chin-Up membership is principally made up of physically Tia(j$Jicapped persons who forget their own troubles while helping others. From this heap of discarded toys come scores of good-as-new wagons, bicycles, tricycles and doll buggies which will delight the hearts of Jackson county small fry on Christmas day. Medford firemen have been carrying on the project for 25 years; have been aided by Medford Lady Lions in recent years. MEDFORDwTRIBUTKI J SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1955 Christmas for Others By Olive Starcher Christmas is the time of the year when the Bible phrase, "It is mora blessed to give than to receive," is uppermost in the minds of many. Scores of groups and individuals turn their time and efforts to projects designed to bring cheer to the sick, the needy and the less fortunate. Members of almost every lodge, club and fraternal group in the county make gifts, buy warm clothing and nourishing food for those known to be in want. These Christmas cheer offerings go to individuals, to families and to such institutions as the ,County Farm home, orphan ages and Oregon state homes for children and mental patients. One of the main projects every year is that carried on by Medford Lady Lions and the men of Medford's Fire department. Hundreds of' toys and dolls, donated mainly by residents of the city, are renovated and made like new before distribution just before Christmas. Several groups focus their efforts toward providing Christmas deco rations and festivities for the men at Camp White domiciliary and other veteran facilities of the state. Oregon Mental Health association is another organization which has an annual Christmas project, and is asking donations of gifts for patients m the mental hospitals and for children in Fairview home. (Brainerd photos) iuiMJiJuy mill k (i 1 mw iiiw 11 4 Ns Nl l Medford firemen spend every spare, moment during November and early December making over discarded toys which . are brought to the department from all parts of the county. Pictured here is M. D. Farnsworth renovating a wagon which will look brand new when the men have fin ished. Parts from different wagons may be assembled to repair one, new tires will be added if needed, and red and white paint applied. Every year Mrs. Jonathan Middleton makes scores of tiny dolls which she gives to orphanages or children's homes at Christmas. Her T955 fairy dolls, dressed in gauzy net ornamented with sequins and brilliants, will go to Fairview home at Salem in the name of Alpha Rho chapter. Beta Sigma Phi, to which Mrs. Middleton belongs. Mr. Middleton, son Terry Tod and daughter Darcey, who . holds pet cat. Ginger, all help in any way they can. o The cameraman found this busy scene when he called at the Medford fire department's main station last week. Firemen at the central station do general repair work, and those at the west side station do the painting. Pictured here (standing, left to right) are Gene Williams, Donald Parton and Vern Ritchie. Norman Nelson bends over a wheel. Repair shop is equipped with quantities of tools and a welding outfit. Last year the crews repaired enough toys for 400 children in about 200 families living in Medford and vicinity. One fireman admitted that they sometimes are "pretty discouraged" after weeks of sorting and working on toys which sometimes are in a pretty hopeless stats. tSttxiittSstifiahhii inm 1 HinA' -i" iff)! . ,...,,,, . - 1 tr rrrffiim Medford Lady Lions assist firemen by providing dolls for the annual Christmas project, and this year are in turn being aided by members of Girl Scout Troop 19 of Hedrick Junior High' school. Troop members cleaned and repaired dolls, tidied up wigs and made new clothes. Shown here working at the home of the assistant leader, Mrs. Robert Bauman, are (left to right), Sharon Eads, Judy Acord, Loretta Hines and Yvonne White, all in seventh grade. Mrs. William E. Acord leads troop. A large quantity of dolls had already been cleaned and dressed and delivered to Lady Lion. Mrs. Ala Jewert, Lady Lion president, has set distribution for December 20-21.
