Girl Guides Back rowleft to right: Jean Francis, Georgie Francis, Edna Evans, Earith Davison, Mary Reeves, Alice Drummond, Rose Reeves.

From row: Margaret Burns (leader), with daughter Joyce, Joan Scales, Mary Matheson, Haze] Heffell, Agnes Heffell, Alberta Moase, Wanda Francis.

Ernestine Taylor, Phyllis Taylor, Phyllis Reeves, Myrna Heffell, Rose Reeves, Alberta Moase, Earith Davison, Ruby Drummond, Jean Francis, Georgie Francis, Mary Reeves and Wanda Francis.

SOUTH FREETOWN RED CROSS - A history of Freetown would not achieve its purpose without including the activities of the South Freetown Red Cross and the Sewing Circle.

These addresses given at the twentieth and fortieth anniversaries of the organization will give some idea of what they were all about.

On 13 March, 1942, during the terrible years of the last war, inspired with a desire to help their country and bring comfort to the boys overseas, a group of women met at the home of Jessie Drummond and organized the South Freetown Red Cross. With untiring effort they added their contribution to the great work of the Red Cross.

When the war ended, instead of disbanding as many other Red Cross branches did, they, in their charity and big-heartedness saw further opportunities to help the less fortunate at home.

Without expecting any recognition or acknowledgement of their work they continued through the ensuing years to answer all calls for help whether in sickness, disaster or whatever need arose. In sorrow and bereavement, their gifts and cards brought great comfort.

Because the early records of this branch have been destroyed by fire, it has been impossible to sum up all the work that has been accomplished over the years, but in the last three years, nineteen large quilts and seven crib quilts have been completed and distributed to the needy. Seven boxes of clothing were sent to fire disaster victims in the west part of the Island, two supplies of bedding were sent to two different families who had lost their homes by fire. Layettes, sweaters and other sewing went to the Red Cross Office. Flowers were sent to bereaved families in the district and fruit and cards to the sick.

The money for these projects has been raised by collections at the meeting, a birthday bottle, parcel post packages, a visiting apron, pantry and cake sales and a bakeless sale. This has netted

the sum of $190.00.

Coming to your district five years ago, and having no experience with work such as you have been engaged in for twenty years, I was indeed impressed by your wonderful generosity. It struck me very forcibly that you were indeed carrying on a great work in reality putting in to action the words of the Great Master - In as much as you did it to the least of my brethren, you do it also to Me.

May your good work continue in the years to come and I hope you will in the future have

many more anniversaries. Frances Aylward, 1962

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