University of South Carolina Libraries
The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C. Dec. 26th,. 1968—PAGE 15—SEC. A York Banker Put “Merry” In Christmas For Orphan Children YORK.—A banker, a former school principal, and his wife, put the “merry” in Merry Christmas for the 40 children who live at the Episcopal Church Home for Children. The banker is Joseph E. Hart Jr. who continues a unique Christmas Tree Club begun by his father 50 years ago. The former school principal is H. S. (Sandy) Howie Jr., Superin- Alay the spirit of Christinas he ever present in your home, bearing the gifts of peace and contentment, happiness and good cheer, D. P. (JABBO) FOLK Your Personal Life Underwriter, Representing The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States 1508 Main Street Newberry, S. C. tendent of Church Home. He and his wife, Betty Jane, go Christmas shopping every year about this time. They carry 45 Santo Clau letters, five writ ten by their own youngsters, 40 by the children who live with them in the sprawling complex of buildings at Church Home in York and the cottage in Charleston. “We receive many bulk-lots of gifts from individuals and various industrial firms” Howie says, “and many churches send gifts to a particular child they are interested in. But every child gets to pick one really substantial gift he especially wants. The money to pay for these gifts comes from the Christmas Tree Club run by Mr. Hart.” When Joseph E. Hart Sr. be- ban the Christmas Tree Club a half century ago, he sent let ters to selected individuals ask ing for contributions. To keep the operation simplg, he asked each contributor to return his letter with a note on the bot tom indicating the amount pledged. The following year he simply pulled the same let ters out of his files and sent them back to the donors. Some of these original letters, now almost covered with notes, still shuttle back and forth between the Junior Joseph E. Hart and the people who contribute an nually to the Christmas Tree Club. , “We have our Christmas par ty early,” Howie says. “The children are gone from Church Home during the actual Christ mas holidays. They go to visit parents, relatives, and friends. Our party is really an Advent celebration, but it’s the only Christmas many of the children will have.” Howie and his wife, Betty Jane, start their Santa Claus buying in York. Sometimes to find a particular item, they have to go to Rock Hill of Charlotte. Occasionally they have to order by mail. But they do their lev el best to see that each child re ceives at least one specially re quested item. The church home recently an nounced plans to convert one of the cottages on the York campus to a residential treatment cen ter for emotionally disurbed children. But even though the institution moves in a new di rection, Banker Hart's letters will continue to shuttle back and forth raising funds for the Christmas Tree Club, and Sup erintendent Howie and his wift will continue to search out one special present on each list of each child at the Church Home. Invitational Basketball Tourney here On December 27 and 28, Mac- Lean Gymnasium will be the site of the first Newberry Col lege High School Invitational Basketball Tournament. The four invited high schools include Chapin, Newberry, Sa luda, and Whitmire. The first game between Chapin and Whit mire will start at 7.00 p.m., to be followed by the Saluda vs. Newberry game. Saturday night the losers will play in the con solation game beginning at 7:00 p.m., and the winners in the championship game at 8:30 p.m. Prices for the game are $1.25 for adults and 75c for students. All of the coaches have tickets on sale at their respective schools. Tickets may also be purchased prior to the game. Three beautiful trophies will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners. Indi vidual trophies will be awarded to the five men making All- Tournament Team. Fight tuberculosis, emphysema; air pollution. Greetings to our many fine patrons from the folks at LAIRD RADIATOR SERVICE Distributor Harrison Radiators and Cores Harrington Street Newberry, S. C. Telephone 276-2893 ° Ab iu* apprAarif % Bfanan of prarr and pood mill, me pratefnllp remember onr manp friend*. May tljifi greeting rarrg onr onr b*arty tljanko to one and all. TOM’S OPEN AIR MARKET Hw’y 76 Newberry Phone 276-1877