December 23, 1942

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A Needles for Defense column.

Christmas Boxes for Ft. Custer​
Inspects Gift Box
Private George Manolakas, 17403 Ohio avenue, was lucky enough to have a furlough with this family for the holidays; but he thinks the boys who are left at camps....(clipping cut-off)
By Edith B. Crumb

Answering a last minute S.O.S. from Walter C. Stubbs, Field Director, The American Red Cross, Fort Custer, Needles for Defense took steps to make sure that at least 85 service men would not go without Christmas boxes.

From the cash balance in the treasury of the Needles for Defense funds between $150 and $200 was paid out for these 85 boxes.

Each box contains 1 box of cigarets, 2 tubes of shaving cream, 1 box of razor blades, 1 bottle of shaving lotion, 1 tooth brush, 1 bar of soap, 1 can of shoe polish, 1 shoe polishing brush, 1 package of stationery, 1 jar of peanuts, 1 package of gum and 1 detective story, complete with lotion and comb with which to smooth down the reader's hair at the end of the story.

Had it been known before, we know that many of the Needles for Defense members would have come laden with gift boxes; but I think we need not worry about the boys now. You may well feel that you have done much to help make a few men a little happier for your assistance.

Mrs. Laura B. Higbie, chairman of the Camp and Hospital Services of the American Red Cross, says that the American Red Cross truck had been packed to a point of sagging with good things for the boys and you may trust the field director at Fort Custer to make a satisfactory distribution.

While we have spent a great deal of money for wool and blanket materials for Needles for Defense, there has been an additional amount donated each week by the girls in the business office of The Detroit News - otherwise we would not have had enough to write this check in this emergency.

Someone remarked that some of the boys were only at Fort Custer for three or four days but those are the ones we are worrying about the most as their Christmas plans have been upset more than those who have been there for some time and, therefore, able to make arrangements for the holiday season.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.