Guild

May 1st, 2009

WATSONTOWN GUILD

In the autumn of 1907, a few young women from the Reformed Church decided to sew for some of the needy children in the Sabbath School classes. They had no money or organization, but a great desire to help others. Their stock in trade was some old clothing and a great enthusiasm. Their first contribution in cash was $5 made by William Curtis Wagner. Later an appeal was made for funds through the Watsontown newspaper, The Record and Star. The response was most gratifying. Soon the demand for clothing was so great that more workers were needed and some of the young women from the Presbyterian Church were invited to join in the work. In 1908 an organization was affected and The Watsontown Guild was formed. First members were Emeline Sturgis (Mrs. W.G. Thomas), C. Mae Morgan (Mrs. Roy Beagle), Helen Hilliard (Mrs. L.G. Harrod), Anna McCormick, Edith Wagner, Bessie Wagner (Mrs. Jay H. Wagner), Sara McFarland, Reba Vincent (Mrs. Charles McDowell), Helen McClure (Mrs. Edward F. Rabe), and Belle Burr (Mrs. Percy W. Hastings). As the demand for clothing increased, members representing other churches were invited to join the organization. Membership has always been by invitation. Anything that would benefit the welfare of the community interested the Guild. It has been instrumental in placing many children in proper homes, providing glasses, crutches, wheelchairs, tonsillectomies, and milk for under-nourished children. Finally, through the TB committee, a school nurse was secured. At first the Guild helped pay her salary. Later the work of the mass X-ray was undertaken, and many cases of incipient and active tuberculosis were discovered in time for help. During World War I, a local Red Cross was organized through the efforts of Guild members. This later became an auxiliary of the Milton Red Cross. The Guild sponsored the Girl Scouts and raised a quota of $1,100 toward a Girl Scout Camp. Money for the work of the Guild has been raised in numerous ways ~ dues paid by the members, card parties, rummage and food sales. Each year a major effort was made to raise money ~ from this and contributions, funds were always available for anything undertaken. As the government extended its assistance in the form of unemployment compensation and social security, the Guild has had few calls of actual need, but it continues to find ways to create a more loving and beautiful community to raise a family.

Presidents
190819441980
190919451981
191019461982
191119471983
191219481984
191319491985
191419501986
191519511987
Miss Esther Bucher191619521988
191719531989
191819541990
191919551991
Miss Esther Bucher192019561992
192119571993
192219581994
Miss Margaret Allen192319591995
192419601996
Miss Emma Jacoby192519611997
192619621998
192719631999
192819642000
192919652001
193019662002
193119672003
193219682004
193319692005
193419702006
193519712007
193619722008
193719732009
193819742010
193919752011
194019762012
194119772013
194219782014
194319792015

Last Modified: 12.27.22

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