Many of us grew up with stories from parents or grandparents who shared their memories of a simpler era when families had few material possessions but were rich in love.
Those memories grow more precious as time goes by, but the years also tend to dim the harsher edges of those experiences, when children wondered why Santa Claus had visited their classmates
and neighbors but had overlooked their homes, even though they had been very, very good all year.
Fortunately, for many of those children of a century ago, Owensboro was filled then, as it is now, with people whose hearts of generosity overflow with the Christmas spirit.
The Women’s Christian Association met at the Mary Kendall Home in December 1926, reporting that 24 people — 11 adults and 13 children — were residing there as the holiday approached.
Christmas baskets were to be distributed to all, but one child, age 11, needed additional assistance as she was said to be “absolutely without clothing.” Residents of Owensboro were beseeched to “look over their wardrobes and see if they can’t find some clothing … for this unfortunate little girl.”
The WCA was not the only group working to ensure that the magic of Christmas reached even the most forlorn of homes. The Queen’s Daughters, the Gospel Mission, students of local schools and Sunday school classes, “and scores of individuals whose left hand is kept ignorant of what the right hand does will help gladden Christmas for others.”
The Welfare League coordinated these charitable efforts, reviewing each organization’s lists of recipients to avoid duplication of baskets and to ensure that as many needy individuals and families as possible were helped.
Organizers predicted that about 150 baskets would be filled and distributed, each containing either “meat, potatoes, a head of cabbage, bread, coffee, sugar, and perhaps fruit,” or “a dressed chicken, flour, meal, vegetables, canned goods, candy, cake, coffee, sugar and fruit.”
Elderly residents — “inmates” — of the County Infirmary were remembered as well, and were to receive “candy, oranges, raisins, apples and tobacco for the men, and some little personal gift for the women.”
In summary, observed an article published in the Dec. 19, 1926, edition of the Messenger-Inquirer, “Santa Claus is one of the inalienable birthrights of every Christian child. They are born with a yearning for the goodness and the gifts of old St. Nicholas. But there are literally scores of little children right here in Owensboro who would miss Santa Claus altogether if it were not for the donations made annually by many kind hearted persons.”
There have been 100 Christmases since 1926, but children now as then still yearn for the magic of Santa Claus. Fortunately, our hometown is still populated by those who take to heart the message of the One who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”OL
