Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 37: The Helping Hand Society of Tomaii, 1912

This unique society is one the like of which should exist in every city and village and the example of which has been made by this little organization in the city of Toinah as to what can be accomplished in doing good to your fellow creatures through the broad exercise of diplomatic charity is one which any community, no matter where situated, can well take heed. The society was organized September 8, 1886, as an auxiliary of a Universalist church, which church had planned to establish in Tomah, but the plans were not carried through and the society soon afterwards became a non-sectarian charitable organization.

The following ladies were the original members or joined soon after the organization of the society: Mrs. George H. Warren, Mrs. J. H. Warren, Mrs. W. N. Alverson, Mrs. C. A. Goodyear, Mrs. W. W. Alverson, Mrs. E. M. Hamilton, ^Mrs. H. H. Ackuer, Mrs. C. Stannard, Mrs. Julia Eaton, Mrs. Electa Wilkins, Mrs. D. P. Rockwood, ]Mrs. A. Soule, Mrs. H. L. Crandall, Miss Jessie Campbell, Mrs. George Graham, Mrs. C. F. Richardson, Mrs. George Thomas, :\Irs. H. Doxtader, :\Irs. W. Earle, Mrs. N. R. Richardson, Mrs. R. Toombs, Mrs. B. Irons, ]\Irs. E. W. Beebe, Mrs. L. Richards, Mrs. Addison Cady, Mrs. C. Llerrill, Mrs. IT. W. Calkins, Mrs. G. R. Vincent, Mrs. L. Cady.

The iirst officers of the association were : I\Irs. A. Cady, president ; Mrs. E. Hamilton, vice president ; Mrs. Adenzy Irons, secretary, and Mrs. George Warren, treasurer.

The object of this society is to relieve the needy, which the members have tried to manage in such a delicate and diplomatic way that their beneficiaries may not be pauperized, but helped in the time of misfortune and whenever possible aided and encouraged to help themselves. The committees appointed for the several wards in the city inquire into every case brought to their notice and such assistance as seems advisable is rendered. The society has had the hearty co-operation of the public and so has been enabled to do much work that it otherwise could not have done, especially at the Christmas season, when it is the object of llie orgaiiizaliuii lo grt ii liox of clothing, toys aud other tilings to each needy child Avho otherwise might have none of the season's good cheer: and many are the little hearts who have been made glad throngh the t honghtfulness and kindness of the Helping Hand Society.

In 1898 when the war' cloud w;is dark and threatening and the boys of the local military company were innking preparations to go to the front, the Helping Hand Societ\ formed a nucleus around which gathered those who wished to hel{) in pre|)aring bandages and small conveniences that "our hoys" could carry with them, and when the company Avas at Charleston, S. C. the nuMubers gathered and sent a 1)0X of bedding and many other useful articles and money with which, to purchase medicine and other necessities. When the society was first organized it met at the various homes of its members, but in 1887 it purchased what Avas known as the Central Hall or the old skating rink, selling it a little later and securing a ]^ortiou of the armory building as soon as it was completed, in Avhich the society holds a financial interest and have a long lease of rooms on the ujiper floor consisting of a living room, kitchen and dining room for their use ; and under the arrangements Avith the Armory Association the society has the use of the entire building for the cost of opening and lighting it for any entertainments Avhich they may Avish to give for the i)urpose of raising money to go into its treasury.

The present membership of the society consists of the folloAving ladies: Mrs. G. A. Altenberg, jMrs. AV. D. Bosshard, ]Mrs. AVilliam Cassels, ^Mrs. J. Hancock, ]Mrs. Thomas ]\IcCaul. ]\Irs. J. J. King, Urs. C. Quigg, INIrs. F. K. Talbot, Mrs. F. S. BarroAvs. Mrs. E. Crocker, JMrs. "William Ilomermiller, ]\Irs. D. P. Rock- Avood, Mrs. Treat, ^Nlrs. A. N. Cross, Mrs. B. Irons, :\Irs. C. ]\Iax- Avell, Mrs. J. B. McMullin, ]\Irs. C. T. Sipple, Mrs. E. Terry, Mrs. Burlin, Mrs. Alice Eaton. IMrs E. Polifka, Mrs. H. H. Shater- Avood, ]\Irs. G. H. Warren, and the folloAving honorary members: Mrs. L. Burdick, I\lrs. TI. Boxtader. :\Irs. D. E. :\liller. :\lrs. A. Cady, Mrs. Sherman.