Life, 1916-07-06 · page 10 of 42
Life — July 6, 1916 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page documents **Life Magazine's charitable initiative** to send poor urban children to the countryside for summer vacations. The photograph shows children relaxing outdoors at the farm. The accompanying article explains that since 1887, Life's readers had donated over $150,000 to send 37,278 children to the country for two-week stays. The farm itself, opened in 1891 in Branchville, Connecticut, was donated by Edwin Gilbert. The lengthy donor list on the left represents Life's readership contributing to this cause—a common practice where magazines published donor names to encourage further giving. **The satire/point:** This demonstrates Life's mission beyond humor: using its platform for social reform, believing fresh air and rural space could relieve urban poverty's "terrible congestion and crowding."
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
10 Life’s Fresh Air Fund Inclusive of 191s. Live's Fees Air Fuxo has been in operation twenty-nine years, In that time it has expended $157,495.60 and has given @ fortnight in the ‘country to 37gq8 poor, city children, The Fund is supported entirely by bequests and voluntary contributions, which are ac- knowledged in this column, Previously acknowledged .. Walter G. Morse. HM, Ss). Mrs. Waiter T. . Men WS Tigrcsdate A. Ward Van Riper, M.D.. Aifred L. Faweett. : W. T. Pa ML B. Pagenstecher. Z 1791.04 10.00 10.00 10,00 nory of E. D._A. Moulton... “X., Bridgeport’ 02. 2. 19.00 J, Rrank Muti... 2.00 spaaylor. i 10.00 Clerks B. F. Two Friends. Bierissss Mrs, J.P. Wilson. os An Old Friend... a . WA Friend”... + Anonymous " M. Hi. Zachari 1.00 1.00 6.44 8.00 5.09 3.00 1.00 10.09 10.00 10.00 100.00 100.00 Samuel M. Mrs. Eugene Du Mrs. 1. IL Treadway. In meniory of William A. E. Hodgkin . Radi tito. Josselya 21! ELM,’ Ziegler: 100.00 Smith... i ‘00 Mrs. N.°T. Porter. J “In memory of E.G Margaret Isabel V Mrso It, McC. Mrs. RL H. 7) @. HAs eben Mrs. A. 'S." Kirkman Mrs. William H. Frank Drummond G._B. Dana... From, MH. Mra W Lenox Banks . Burt L. Hunt. . Howard H. Fitegeral Everest Heath Read.) 25.00 10.10 12.88 20.00 25.00 Harte. fames De i Mrs. C. HL Sharp... Mrs. J. Scott Fowler. John T. Conway. . Mrs. Stepken Duncan E. C. Evans. : Th memory of L. MeC” Chas. W. Sandford... Geo. I. Seney.. Susan "D. Griffith. SVB R". Renj. Nusshau Grace BE. Fi Ge Fee $3,838.93 ACKNOWLEOGES WITH THANKS Eight haseballs, one large indoor baseball, one indoor baseball hat, one baseball mask, two baseball gloves, from R. L. Chipman: w York, N.Y. One package of clothing from Mrs, Mills, Georgetown, Conn. Burr AT LIFES FRESH AIR FARM RELAXATION Life’s Fresh Air Farm OR more than a generation Lire’s Fresh Air Farm has been an insti- tution of educational value, striving to impress upon the poor in the cities that in the country can be found plenty of food, plenty of space, plenty of fresh air, playtime and happiness. This les- son, when once learned by the children of this decade, will help to relieve the terrible congestion and crowding of the great cities that is the horror of all students of sociological conditions. Our Fresh Air Fund began in the summer of 1887, when the generosity of Lire’s readers brought over $1,000 and enabled us to send over 250 chil- dren to the country for a two weeks’ outing. From that small beginning we have steadily gone forward, until, in- cluding 1913, $137,495 has been ex- pended, and 37,778 children have had vacations. Our greatest advance came in 1891, when the present Lire’s Farm was opened at Branchville, in the hills of western Connecticut, fifty-three miles from New York. It was the property of the late Edwin Gilbert, who after- wards gave it to us for Fresh Air Fund purposes. The big French-roof house, barns and other outbuildings have been fitted over, every possible inch of space being utilized for dormitories, dining rooms, etc. The grounds, four- teen acres in extent, afford ample play space. The orchard, brook and ball ground are more than popular. Every fortnight through the summer, from the close of school in June until it reopens in September, parties of about 200 children are sent for an out- ing. The railroad fare is a big item, and in these days of high prices the increased cost of foodstuffs is also a serious problem. With 200 perfectly healthy appetites at each meal, things vanish fast, especially as many of the little ones have arrears of short rations to make up. With careful management, the cost last season was only $6.44 per child for the entire two weeks, including trans- portation—not a large sum to secure a happy vacation in a life where such things are not of frequent occurrence. This work is entirely dependent on the generosity of our readers and friends, and we ask them to help us again this season. The war has brought many urgent and most worthy cases before the charitably inclined, but let us not forget entirely these children who need it so badly and who repre- sent America’s future.