Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 255, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1917 — What Can We Do? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What Can We Do?

There Is no time to lose now If Christmas boxes to the soldiers In France are to have a chance to arrive on time. They should all be ready for the last of October. The Red Cross will co-operate with individuals in getting Christmas gifts delivered at the right time. Boxes should not be large or heavy and nothing that is perishable is to be put in them. This does not exclude candies or “smokes” or other luxuries that will not spoil. Probably the most appreciated present from home will be these things, along with a' lot of kodak pictures of the folks at home or an illustrated letter, the longer the better. Comic illustrations are the best, of all. Stationery makes a good gift and knitted garments —sox and more sox — among them, insure comfort. The boys want cheerful letters from home—they are a long way off and will just naturally be a little homesick occasionally. The Red Cross suggests that Christmas bags be made of gay cretonnes or of brown or blue denim or other heavy cottons, with cutout figures appropriate to the season applied to them, such as Christmas trees, reindeers, holly wreaths and candles. These can be cut from printed cottons or other materials. - Besides the bags she made for her

own, who are at the front, each woman will wish to do something toward remembering soldiers who may not have people to do a bit for them. There are so many inexpensive gifts that can be made at home. Among them the small portfolios of demln or kahkl or of bright cretonne, are among the best of gifts. Rifle mits, scarfs and wristlets. and of course sox, along with sweets, and tobacco, take little time to get readj'.