Christmas fell on Sunday, too, back in 1932 --- but times were far harder. Lucas County provided coal to families that otherwise would have been unable to heat their homes. Associated Charities --- a coalition of Lucas County service and social organizations established in 1927 --- distributed food, used clothing and other items from its headquarters in a donated storefront on North Main.
That organization, which had set as its goal the previous January to feed 50 families throughout the year, had prepared and distributed 120 Christmas baskets that included second-hand toys and holiday treats for impoverished families.
The Chariton Newspapers, in search of a way to be helpful as the holiday neared, decided to sponsor a Christmas dinner for children who might not otherwise have enjoyed a full holiday meal. The setting was the American Legion Hall. Here's a report from The Chariton Leader of Tuesday, Dec. 27:
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Approximately 150 Chariton children enjoyed the free Christmas dinner sponsored by the Chariton newspapers at the American Legion Home Christmas day. A steaming plate of roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and chicken dressing, together with fruit salad, milk, ice cream and cake was placed before the children of Chariton to whom Christmas might otherwise have been just another Sunday.
Christmas cheer radiated from every corner of the Legion House basement as the boys and girls ranging from two years old to sixteen enjoyed the meal. Included also in the group were several mothers and fathers of small children who would have been unable to reach the top of the tables alone.
Tickets for the affair were distributed by the Associated Charities, and every section of the city was searched for children whose parents were unable to furnish them with the type of Christmas dinner which means so much to them. From Williamson, a large group was brought to the event by Dwight Smith, who is in charge of relief work there.
In addition to the dinner, the children each received a free Christmas gift from Jones Bros., and a ticket to the Monday matinee from the Ritz theatre. Others who donated food or shared in the expense of the event were Flatt's confectionary, the American Legion and American Red Cross, Dwaine Lindquist, the Rotary club, the Chariton Volunteer Fire department, the People's Gas company and the A.F. Thibodeau company.
Under the direction of Dayton Piper, 38 chickens, 14 gallons of fruit salad, more than a bushel of potatoes, five gallons of ice cream, 300 biscuits, 15 gallons of milk and an appropriate amount of chicken dressing and cake were either prepared or made ready for serving. Every participant in the dinner was given all that he desired to eat, and from the remainder 18 baskets of food were prepared for distribution to needy homes in the city.
Assisting in the preparation and serving the dinner under Mr. Piper's direction were Bill Beck, George Williby, Harold Johnson, Andy McRoberts, Frank Munch, A. R. Bartell, Joe Wahl, Verne Williams, Elizabeth Ritson, Dorothy Lewis, L. R. Fisher, Chas. Lewis, Dr. J.H. Malony, Lou Callison, Glen Peasley, Bill Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Watkins, Guy Norton, Donald Norberg, Frank Cover, Margaret Davis, Maudetta Halden and Mr. and Mrs. Berry F. Halden.
The children began to arrive at the Legion Home more than an hour before the dinner was scheduled to begin and before it was ready for serving practically the entire group was gathered in the assembly room. It was not long before the entire group was engaged in singing Christmas carols and games were organized for the younger members of the group. All filed to the tables which filled the basement at 12:30, and an hour later 150 well-fed youngsters departed to their homes.
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