Life, 1918-03-07 · page 26 of 40
Life — March 7, 1918 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page documents Life magazine's "Babies' Fund," a charitable initiative supporting French war orphans during World War I. The photographs show four French children being sponsored through the program. **What it means:** Life was soliciting American donations to support destitute French children orphaned by the war. The fund operated through the "Fraternité Franco-Américaine," keeping children with family rather than institutions. For $73, donors could support one child for two years. **The appeal's logic:** By personalizing orphans with photographs and names (Paulette Topenot, Maurice Denis, etc.), Life made abstract suffering concrete and donor relationships direct. Contributors received updates about "their" assigned child. **Historical context:** This reflects American philanthropic efforts toward French civilians during WWI, before U.S. entry (unclear if pre- or post-1917). France is described as "Our Ally," emphasizing transatlantic bonds and humanitarian obligation to support war victims beyond soldiers. The detailed financial accounting ($178,293.73 collected) demonstrates accountability to donors—crucial for maintaining public trust in charitable organizations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MAURICE DENIS, PAULETTE TOPENOT, BABY BARY 1355 For the Orphans of Our Ally N a work of the magnitude which our Babies’ Fund has attained and which involves much detail, it is only human that there should be occasional mis- takes. We are happy to say that, so far, these have been almost negligible in number. To help continue the good record we would ask contributors, past and prospective, to yead carefully the “plan” which appears below, so te avoid any misunderstanding Lire has received, in all, $178,293.73, from which have been remitted to Paris 985,900.95 francs. We gratefully acknowledge from Mary Janet Plum, Rahway, N. Baby No. 2 aeeeer Mrs. Chas. W, Bates, for Baby No. 236 Frances Anna Fedden, } for Baby No. 2369 . Frederick W. Ells, Milwaukee, Ralph Curtis Jordan, Jr., Columbus, Ga., for Anna J. Valentine and Caroline M. Valentine, by eo P., for Baby No 2372, : : Clinton French War Orphan Lire’ Citete, “Clinton, iowa. tor Babies Nos. 2373 and 2374... .. Miss Dorothy D. Hitchings, Mortal No. 2375 2.000, Boys of ‘Cahuenga’ Tribe. Hollywood, Cal; “through’ Messrs Glass, Coverley, Parnell, Cameron, Beecher, Vorse, Larsen, Dent, Duncan and’ James, for Baby No. Marian Haltock Foote, Grass Valley, Cal., for Baby No. 2377 In memory of Arinand Pierret killed in action, April 1913." for “In mem ; unday:School Class of the Methodist Church o! g. Canada, through Mrs. P. D. Harris, on account of Carol Daute, Northampton, Mass, en account “of Haby ‘No YVONNE DARGENT, BABY 2200 FOR BABY NUMBER 2361 Already acknowledged .... "AOH, T., Syracuse, NOY." ULysse mucuET, BABY 1350 JEANNE TRONEL, BABY 1451, AND HER BROTHER Nelson P. \ Sterling D. [ubvell, Sheltos Mrs. Chas. W. Bates, Mrs. Julian L. d'Este, Washington, Ia Proceeds of a musical concert given by, 3 Durand at the First Baptist Church, Ta FOR BABY NUMBER 2368 roceeds of a musical concert given by Mme. Durand at the First Baptist Chure Ray View Club, Windber, Pa. FG. McGrane, Lewiston, Idaho rivate N.C. Nielse A. 0. B.D. Cay S Soaee Towa el T. Johnson, Beleourt. Nancy, John and Ned Camj Pa Boys of the Cahuenga Tribe, Hollywood, Cals through’ Messrs. Glass, Coveriey. | Parnell,, Cameron, “Beecher, “Vorse, Larsen, Dent, Duncan and § Lancaster Presbyterian Church War NY. THE PLAN OF THE FRENCH BABIES’ FUND 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 ina family environment. Du: ing this critical period in the child’s life its welfare is looked after and the funds disbursed by the Fraternité Franco-Américaine,_an organization icered by eminent French men and women. The Fraternité hb committees in every part of France, who keep in touch with the children and supervise details of management. Contributions of less than seventy-three dollars are combined until they amount to the larger sum. To those who are unable to co: tribute the whole seventy-three dollars at one time a child will be assigned under a pledge to complete this amou! As fast as received from the Fraternité the names and addresses of the children and their mothers, with other information, are com: municated directly to the contributors for the care of cach child The payments are made to the mothers in quarterly instalments Contributors wishing to correspond with the mothers should address them as Mme, Veuve — (surname of the child)” at the town and department given. A self-addressed envelope should be enclosed for reply. Contributors will be notified at the expiration of the two years, and be given opportunity to continue the support, if they so desire. The full amount of the funds received by Lire is put into French exchange at the most favorable r: and remitted to the Fraternité with no deduction whatever for expenses. Under the present regula: tions of the American Red Cross Lire is unable to forward packages to the children. Gifts of money we can remit with other funds. Checks should be made payable to the order of Lire Publishing Company. Owing to the large amount of detail work connected with the fund, contributions are acknowledged only through Lire.