I was a Volunteer

From field notes, AFSC Coal Relief Section, 1931

First, a kindly feeling grows up around the feeding and clothing activities with which we begin. This kindly feeling, intangible, is a most important vantage ground on which to build rehabilitation projects. We have found it particularly happy as the second step to institute a sewing class, beginning with girls 12 years of age and over in the feeding group. I would say, if you want to shoot a thrill of pleasure through a poverty-stricken mining community, start a sewing class...providing leadership and materials to make dresses for them. It produces an intangible effect of marked significance. By following this with handicraft classes for boys we have gone far enough to make me feel at times America would be safe if this sort of thing could be done enough times in enough places.

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