Life, 1917-06-28 · page 26 of 39
Life — June 28, 1917 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is not satire but earnest charitable fundraising. Life magazine solicited donations to support French children orphaned by World War I after American troops under Pershing arrived in 1917. The page features photographs of actual French orphans (named, numbered as "babies") alongside names of American donors who sponsored their care. For $73, donors could support a child for two years, keeping them with widowed mothers rather than in institutions. The text explains that Life had raised over $104,000, with $89,000 remitted to Paris through the "Destitute Children of France" organization. Donors received direct communication about their assigned child's welfare. This represents American charitable response to European war casualties—a patriotic duty aligned with supporting America's French allies during the Great War.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BROTHER HENRI The Orphans of Brave France ITH the landing of Pershing be- Americans who are to help France in the emergency gins that flow of of to-day. For the France of the future, American aid must come in the form of support for the destitute chil- dren, orphaned by the war and who in the coming generation are to renew her population. To preserve them through their tenderest years, and to keep them members of a family in- stead of wards of public charity, are the objects of Lire’s French Babies’ Fund. Through the generosity of Lire’s readers more than hundred of these children are assured fourteen of maintenance for two years unde the care of their widowed mothers. Lire has received in contributions $104,112.84, from which — $89,123.70 PAULETTE GUEMAS, BABY 515 francs have been remitted to Paris. With gratitude in behalf of the little ones, we acknowl- edge from Elizabeth and Allan Campbell, Detroit, Babies J. A. Gabel, Tacoma, Wash. for Haby No. 1387 Mrs. Harold §. Edwards, Dedhan or Bab 1388 Frank Ilchr, Shamokin, Pa., for Baby No. 1380. In memory of Mrs. Jane liolden, Ypsilanti, Mich. for Baby Miss. Katherine Figart, Baby No. 1391... Gemcestamens Miss Carlene Crangle and Miss’ Elenore ¢ railes Minn., for Rabies Nos. 1392 139. Mrs. Katherine AM. Burke, Kealia, Kauai, Hawaii, for Daby No. 1394 -.-. es ry en Mich, { ingapore, | Mer ena Mes Join dine. OND LAGNEAUX, BALY 646 RAYMOND GAUMER, BABY 504, AND HIS SISTERS S. Sergeant Newbury, Denver, Colorado, in memory of Frances M. Newbury. for Baby No. 1 sagetehens Mr. and Mrs. Janes E. Jennings, Salt Lake City, Utab, for Baby No, 1396 i In memory of Hugh’ White, Fort MePherson, Ga, for Baby No. Anna Gr c uis, “Mo. Miss Lucilla H. an nk. N, for Babies Nos. 1400 or : Miss Marjorie N. Lewis and. Miss Sabra’ F.” Lewis, apolis. Tnd., for Babies Nos. 1 ra03 fear Miss Ada Keigwin, Mount Vernon . for Baby No. i404 Itaby Jackson Sanford Hart, Toronto, No. 1405 Donald and Elise Bartholomew, New York, for Baby No. 1306 D. TL, Grandin Milling Company, Jamestown, N. Y., for Bal No. 1407 FOR BABY NUMBER 1382 P. Ridley. Coium Eastern Mlinois State FOR BABY NUMBER 1399 Marion Wessman, gtield, Mass. sees Newton Centre, Mass I eld. Conn Alabama B. Hocing, Frankia,’ $15.09 A contribution of seventy-three dollars provides that for two years a destitute French child, orphaned by the war, will be kept with its mother or relatives ‘instead of being sent to a public institution, where its chances of survival are less than in a family environment. During this critical period in th s life its welfare is looked after and the funds disbursed by ather less Children of France,” an organization eminent The Society has cor art of Fr ho keep in touch with the ch vise details of sement. Contributions of less than sev three dollars are combined until they amount to the larger sum. As fast as Lire receives from the Society the names and ad. dresses of the children and their mothers with particulars of the father's death and other information, these are communicated directly to the contributors for the care of cach child. The full amount of the funds received by Lire is put into French ex- change at the most favorable rate and remitted to the Society with no deduction whatever for expenses. Checks should be made payable to the order of Lire Publishing Company. comichoo!