Life, 1916-07-27 · page 16 of 32
Life — July 27, 1916 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page describes a WWI-era charity program called the "Orphelinat des Armées" (Army Orphanage) operating in Paris. Life magazine solicited American sponsors to support French war orphans—children left destitute after the fighting. The text explains the mechanics: sponsors could contribute $73 to support one child for two years, keeping them with family rather than in institutions. Smaller donations were pooled. The magazine printed photographs of specific orphans and letters from their mothers to humanize the cause and inspire giving. The handwritten letter from Suzanne Allanic (visible on the left) appears to be a grateful thank-you note from a mother receiving aid. By December 1914, Life reports collecting over $14,000 and distributing nearly 74,000 francs directly to the organization. The page functions as both charity appeal and progress report, listing donors' contributions to demonstrate the program's success.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LTE E * News from the French Babies A NUMBER of letters from the widowed mothers of the orphan babies listed in Lire last week have heen received at this office and for- warded to their American sponsors These letters are touching in their simplicity, sincerity and the gratitude they evince. The photographs on this page are reproduced from those re- ccived in the same mail. In addition we have received from the Orphelinat des Armées the names of Baby No. 07, Robert Merraut, born April 17, 1913, assigned to C. L. T. and L. F. T., Alameda, Cal., and Baby No. 08, Suzanne Merraut, born Decem- ber 19, 1ot4, assigned to J. A, Mitchell, New York. The address of both chil- dren is 4 Place Daumesnil, Morlaix, Finistére. Inquiries show that there are still some readers of Lirr who are not familiar with the object of this char- ity. In Paris an organization called the Orphelinat des Armées has under- taken to look after destitute children orphaned by the war. Some weeks ago their number was estimated at many more than 150,000, and this has been largely increased by the severe fighting since. makes a small allowance for the maintenance of these children, If that allowance can be increased by the small amount of ten cents a day for two years it insures that the child will he kept with its mother, relatives or friends, instead of being sent to a public in- The French governme stitution, thus greatly increasing its chances of survival during the most critical period of childhood. A contribu- tion of seventy-three dollars insures this maintenance of a child for two years, and smaller amounts are combined until they make the requisite seventy-three dollars. The A LETTER FROM SUZANNE ALLANIC RAYMONDE. ALLANIC, 3 RUE BABY ETORIX, PARIS, AND HER OLDER SISTER, SUZANNE MORERE, PARIS child's name, age, address and other particulars are com- municated by Lire to each contributor. The sums donated are converted into French exchange at the best rate and re- mitted directly to the Orpelinat des Armées without any deduction for overhead expenses. We have received a total of $14,992.48 in American money, from which there have already been remitted 74,023.31 francs, We gratefully acknowledge from for Raby No. 19, . Y. Lansing, Albany, N 194 and 195 so. se ee : M.. Cin 2 O. for Bi ““Rutier. Pa.," for Baby No. 107..... or Holbrook, Hyannisport, Mass., for Th n the Girls of Kent Place School Fahy Noe 100s; oss csc gescuss ©. W. Kent, Los Angeles, ALM. M., Phe F Newby—Gr. . for Baby No. for Raby No. 2 francisco,” for Th y New York City, for Baby No. 20 FoR BABY NUMBER 178 y acknowledged ...... . H., Cincinnati, O. and’ Gretchen Gress, Jacksonville, Fla M. Jacobus, Pomona, Cal... ee “Mrs. W. J.T." Maple Hill, Kan, KK. Mretiie, Portland, Oregon. FOR BABY NUMBER 200 From the Girls of Kent Place School, Summit, N. J K. K. Prettic, Portland, Oregon Mrs. W. W. Kent, Mtl Airy, Pa.