Hamilton Community Chest
Hamilton Community Chest

July 10, 11, 12, 1922 -- Hamilton Community Chest -- Help Fill the Chest -- We'll Do the Rest
Pictured: Horace Preston, William Hyde, Ellen McCarthy, Jenine Dodds, John Prosser, Birdy Asbury Gordies, Isabelle Beardsley, Antoinette Droege, Jim Stimson

Prior to 1920, each of Hamilton's welfare institutions were responsible for securing their own funding.  This meant that every few weeks Hamilton citizens were asked to donate to one of the various charities in the city.  In 1920 it was decided to organize a "community chest" drive which would give aid to the poor and provide funding for "character building agencies."  On March 25, 1920, delegates from thirty civic, political, industrial, and social groups met to organize the Hamilton Welfare Federation.

The first community chest campaign resulted in $67,782.  The campaign became more successful each year and by 1936, almost nine thousand Hamiltonians made subscriptions to the fund.  By 1936 there were ten agencies which benefited from the campaign.

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