Page 16 - 1930 October - To Dragma

OCTOBER, 1 9 3 0 15

living in the dark past and who could only catch a few scattered notes
of the active, rushing present day events! Another group of volunteers
undertook the wonderful service of giving monthly sociables, with a
professional program and delicious refreshments, for an average at-
tendance of fifty blind people. Two annual picnics are also given.
These people now call themselves "The Acme Club" and they have devel-
oped hidden talents within themselves. A club song has been written
by them and an orchestra is about to be formed. There is a most
efficient motor corps, which attends to all transportation, which means
that some people are driving most every day. The Association acts as
guardian over three beautiful children at the Perkins Institute for the
Blind, in Watertown, Mass., and they are brought back and forth for
their vacations and their needs are looked after. There are about fifteen
in the sewing class which meets every other week, when they are taught,
by the state teacher and a volunteer, to mend and make saleable articles
for the annual sale which gives them a little income and is a stimulant
for regular occupation. The State Division for the Blind maintains
a workshop for the blind men in Lowell, but there was very little busi-
ness, so the employment committee has created interest and works as
a salesman for these men. When the State Field Worker comes to
town each month, a volunteer takes him about to call on his list of
blind people. Another group of women sees that all are visited at least
once a month. A vacation plan is being attempted, whereby about
fifteen of the most deserving blind people are taken to a beautiful coun-
try home where the fresh vegetables and air put new life into their weary
bodies. I t was a struggle at first to raise money for this new organiza-
tion—but we all worked at it and finally put it across to the community,
and this year, we are a member of the Lowell Community Chest. One
year, a great financial help was rendered by a local club of young women
who gave the association the proceeds from their annual benefit show.
The Lion's Club cannot undertake, any longer, the maintenance of
radios, so this now is run under the association. However, it does in-
vite one or two blind men to their weekly luncheons, and the Middlesex
Woman's Club admits the blind women to their concerts . The writer
of this article has simply been one of the people "behind the guns" with
ahigh aim and with many wonderful and devoted friends to make these
aims and dreams come true. Even though I no longer live in Lowell,
yet each Tuesday is my day there.

I do wish that each AOn, whether active or graduate would take
a few hours and visit some blind person. Do not give to the beggars
on the street, but do some real constructive work in keeping the blind
off the street. Then, too, there is a great need for more books to be
printed in Braille. College women are being urged to learn how to
write Braille and to copy books which the government and Red Cross
will print. Just a word from my heart—seek out some blind child or
lonely adult and be a real and life long friend to that person. You will
never regret i t !