A Year of Progress and Achievement

[text centered along page in soft script]

1939 At Phillis Wheatley

A Year of Progress and Achievement

[cartoon illustration of an entrance area of a building, two children can be seen on oppposite sides and between them is text over a window, " Our Phillis Wheatley Center" ]

[captioned] This drawing is the work of Oliver Davenport who is an alumnus of the Jenkins Orphan Home and is now with the N. Y. A.

THE PHILLIS WHEARLEY ASSOCIATION is an organization established for the Educational, Religious, Economic and Social betterment of the Negroes of Greenville County. It is also an inspiration and example to other states and counties in this type of work.

This institution is an outgrowth of the needs of a people who are underpriviledged. It has been through the years a compliment in its services to the churches, schools, and home and has changed many lives and conditions throughout the city and county.

A generous and far sighted citizen of Greenville, Mr. Thomas F. Parker, with the assistance of friends, saw that we were trying to do and after a careful student of our work, came to our aid. In 1926, we completed our present building at a cost of Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000) including furniture and equipment. In accepting the building we assumed a $20,00 debt. The upkeep has of necessity been heavy, handicapping our efforts in paying our bonded indebtedness. Through we have been passing through a depression, we have been able to cut our debt to $5,000.

Our people as you know are meager earners, but have contributed splendidly to our work. Our white friends have continued their interest and help.

We feel now that we have come to a second wall. We cannot stand still, we dare not go back. To move forward as the needs and times demand, we are making an earnest appeal to you for aid.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT [centered on page]

RECEIPTS 1938-39 [centered on page]

Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 378.03 Rents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757.00 Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602.88 Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,563.02 Entertainments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,373.78 Troop Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.00 [A horizontal line beneath the "8.00" and a second horizonal line of the same size in the next column]

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,682.71 Community Chest Fund . . . . . . . .$1,322.83 [A horizontal line beneath the "$1,322.83" and a second horizonal line of the same size in the next column]

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,005.54 DISBURSEMENTS 1938-39 [centered on page] Wages and Salaries . . . . . . . . . $2,171.94 Maintenance & Operation of Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827.19 Resales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,006.77 Charity (Medicine, foods, fuel, rent) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180.75 Wilkinson Home . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.00 Expense of Entertainments . . . 819.39 Payments on Building . . . . . . . 773.43 National Scout Troop Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.00 [A horizontal line beneath the "8.00" and a second horizonal line of the same size in the next column] Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,880.47 Cash on Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 125.07 [A horizontal line beneath the "125.07" and a second horizonal line of the same size in the next column] $6,005.54

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 1939 [centered on page]

821 meetings of Clubs, Classes, and Commitees with 21,643 in attendance.

CLUBS AND CLASSES [centered on page]

CLUBS: Social, Literary, Music, Handicraft, Business, Dramatics, Social Services, Scouts, Story Hour.

CLASSES: Bible, Cooking, Sewing, Recreation, Health & Hygiene, Mid-Wifery, Club Leadership.

SPECIALS: Vacation Bible School, Women's Bible Conference, Annual Music Festivals.

EMPLOYMENT [centered on page]

559 persons applied, 441 persons were placed in work.

MATERIAL RELIEF [centered on page]

Furnished 171 families food, 33 families fuel, 1,807 garments, 174 pairs of shoes, 10 persons sent to hospitals, 6 persons given a night's lodging each, 3 persons given railroad fare to their homes.

CHILD WELFARE

Six girls and four boys sent to orphan home, five boys to foster homes, five girls to N. Y. A. camp, six boys, and eight girls, to trade schools and colleges.

KITCHEN [centered on page]

10,059 meals prepared and served, 473 children given free soup, 71 men and women given free meals.

SEWING ROOM [centered on page]

Made 893 garments and other articles

Assisted with two nursery schools which are meeting a long felt need of our people.

LIBRARY [centered on page]

The Phillis Wheatley Branch Library is a valuable community asset. Circulation in both County and City 9,240 books.

The Center Building is used by churches, Clubs, Ministerial Union Schools, County Teacher Association, Social Clubs, World War Verterans, Pre-School, N. Y. A. and other organizations.

Mr. Parker, our benefactor said "To Phillis Wheatley for promoting the Spirit of Good Will between the races I make this Gift." It is our hope that you will aid us in paying off the remaining $5,00 of our debt and enable us to carry on a broader program for our people. It will cement more firmly the friendship between the two races in this community and the south.