Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1917 — CHRISTMAS AND THE SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

CHRISTMAS AND THE SOLDIERS

Red Cross Plans Gifts for Every Fighting Man. Every American soldier and sailor, whether at the battle front in France or' in training camp at home, on ships at sea or stationed ashore, is to have a Christmas remembrance from “home.” Red Cross officials have just completed plans for the Christmas cheer and arrangements will be worked out immediately. For the men in France, the Red Cross will see that every soldier has his Christmas package with its message of good will. There will be surprises in every package, but all are likely to contain writing paper, pipes, tobacco, cigars and cigarets, and other articles. The work of completing Christmas allotments of comfort bags is going on rapidly. Most of them are made of khaki and are supplied with extra pairs of woolen socks, needles, pins, thread and buttons.' Detailed suggestions of how to wrap these Christmas packages for shipping will be issued by the Red Cross, which will welcome co-operation. Gifts will be bought from contributions especially given for the Christmas greeting. The Red Cross war fund will not be used for that purpose.