Ladies' Charitable Union

The 25th animal meeting of the Charitable Union was held on Thursday afternoon, March 2. The followiug officers wore elected by ballot for the ensuing year. President, Mrs. Celia Jaycox ; Secretarv, Mrs. M. I.. D'Ooge ; Treasurer, Mn. Philip Bach. Mrs. Phoebe Steele was elected vice-president by acclamation. Mis. J. M. Wheler, Mrs. Eliza R. Sunderland, Mra. J. C. Knowlton, Mn. Benjamin Day, Mrs. A. B. Prescott and Mre. Gilbert were appoiuted as Executive Board. The Ward committeea were aj.pointedaa folio ws: ist ward, Mrs. jaycox, Mrs. Gilbeil, i'rs. J. M. lielstou. 2d wuril, Mrs. Bacil and Mrs. Douglass. Sd waiil, Mrs. Junius E. Beal and Mis. Riley Uli ward, Miss Henniug. Mrs. K. A. HeaH Mrs. l'arker mid Mrs J. C. Kuuwltuu. ótli ward, M1SH Brown. 6th ward, Mis. ilults, Mrs. Steele, Mrs. Dr Abel. An amendment to the cunstitution was adopted changing the name from Ladies' to Women's Charitable Uniou. SECKETABV's EEPOKT. Secretarg' Report of the Charitable Union for the year, closing March, 1893: Another twelve inonths have passed away and we are brought to the 26U annual meeting of the Charitable Union. IJuring a quarter of a century it has carried on lts labora of love and mercy, blessing, and may we not also say, "receiying blessing. It would indeed be ditficult rightly to estímate the good accomplished, and the araount of sufFering relieved during these years. The past year has beeu one of less activity than usual. Fewer visita have been made and receiyed, and fewer families have been assisted. We believe, however, this is due, not to auy decrease of interest in the Union, but rather to the fact that not so many as horetofore have been in need of assistance. There have always been both rnoney and clothing, which could have been distributed if needed. By the Ward coinmittees : 137 viaits have been made upon the poor and 74 visita have been received. Between 35 and 40 families have been assisted. Second-hand clothing, valued at $86.50 has been given away, to those in need; in addition to $5.00 worth of new clotliing wliich was purchased at the sewing school and distributed. During the year $40.00 worth of clothing has been donated to tlie Uuion. We wish to express our thanks to the Sunday schools of the Methodist and Congregational churches for gifts at Christmas time. Through the kindness of many friends we were enabled to distribute 29 Thanksgiving dinners. Special donations have also been received from Mrs. K. A. Beal, Mrs. Angelí, Mrs. Elisha Jones, aad from Schairer & Millen. As heretofore the city papers have been most kind in publishing all notices sent them free of expense. During the past twelve months there has not been a great amount of sickness among our beuetíciaries. Wherever medicines have been needed, they have been bought. Owing to home duties Miss Brown has been able to hold the sewing school only five months of the year. It is now in session again, nul will doubtless be as useful as in preceding' years. The average attendánce at monthly meetings has been small uumbering but eight; generally it is only the oflicers and members f the ward committees who are present. This Laa doubtless been in partdue to the incleinent weather and very difficult walking which have prevailed during the winter, but we would gladly welcome a larger number. Before closing this report, mention should be made of the serioua accident which since our last meeting has happened to our vice-president. Mrs. Steele has been connected with the Union from its very beginning, and with the exception of Mrs. Gilbert, as the only lady now in Ann Arborof whom this is true. In 1877 she was chosen secretary and held the office until 188L'. In 1883 she was made yice-president and has continued in this position until the present time. She has been one of the executive board or on the ward committees since 1876, and notwithstandiug her advanced age, has been active in lier labors for the poor. We shall greatly miss her at the monthly meetings at which when possible, she never failed to be present. It is pleasant to remember that she presided at the February meeting. We are told that the poor we shall always have with us, and therefore n are uure there will be no lack of work for this organization during the next quarter of a centiiry. We trust abuudant means will be contributed that the good work maynot be hampered by any lack of funds, and also that wisdom may be given those in charge, that they may direct the work as shall be for the best advantage. Mary W. D'Ooge, Sec'y. TRASUKER'S REPOBT. To balance In treasury March 3, 1893, $ 31 20 Membernhip du es 44 00 Krom Union Tlianksglvlng collection, 66 08 Krom St. Andrews " " 13 57 Kor Thanksgiving dinners, . 10 30 Special donatlons 16 00 $184 15 AMOUJJT EXPENDED. Pald flrst ward 3 18 Paid second ward, .... 21 76 Pald thlrd ward, H 65 Pald lourth ward 28 60 Pald nflb ward. ..... 3H 50 Pald sixth ward 8 98 Special charities, 8 00 Marca 2, 18113, balance In treasury, 68 48 (184 15 ANNA B. BACH. TreaBurer.