On Tuesday, December 21, 1926, the Sandusky Kiwanis Club hosted a party for forty-five children from the Erie County Children’s Home. The festivities took place at the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church. Each club member was responsible for one of the youngsters’ gifts. 
J. F. Starkey, dressed as Santa Claus, gave each child a gift of candy, nuts, and oranges. Christmas carols were sung by all. Heenan Elliott entertained the children by doing impersonations. At the end of the luncheon, the children sang a song of thanks to the Kiwanians.
In 1926, Mr. and Mrs. John Ritter were in charge of the Children’s Home. The committee responsible for the Kiwanis Christmas program was made up of: W. P. Bittner, Dr. A. J. Funnell, and Dr. H. L. Brown. Mrs. Clara “Ma” Bock, the club’s caterer (pictured below), was given a pin by the Kiwanis Club members at the Christmas party.
At the time of the Kiwanis Christmas Party, the children whom they hosted resided at the facility pictured below. The Erie County Children’s Home opened at its Sycamore Line location in May, 1901. The home closed in 1960 because of increasing operating expenses to maintain a facility not filled to capacity. The photo below was taken by Robert E. Frank, when the building housed offices for Erie County’s Sanitary Engineering division. The former Children's Home building is now privately owned. 
J. F. Starkey, dressed as Santa Claus, gave each child a gift of candy, nuts, and oranges. Christmas carols were sung by all. Heenan Elliott entertained the children by doing impersonations. At the end of the luncheon, the children sang a song of thanks to the Kiwanians.In 1926, Mr. and Mrs. John Ritter were in charge of the Children’s Home. The committee responsible for the Kiwanis Christmas program was made up of: W. P. Bittner, Dr. A. J. Funnell, and Dr. H. L. Brown. Mrs. Clara “Ma” Bock, the club’s caterer (pictured below), was given a pin by the Kiwanis Club members at the Christmas party.
At the time of the Kiwanis Christmas Party, the children whom they hosted resided at the facility pictured below. The Erie County Children’s Home opened at its Sycamore Line location in May, 1901. The home closed in 1960 because of increasing operating expenses to maintain a facility not filled to capacity. The photo below was taken by Robert E. Frank, when the building housed offices for Erie County’s Sanitary Engineering division. The former Children's Home building is now privately owned.
Its great to know our club is still doing great work with kids in our community after all these years!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating website. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a link to your site. I'm bookmarking it to check out more as time allows. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! Ditto what Sara M. said. I'll be back as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Folks, this is an interesting and informative Local Studies blog, well done! And thanks for your recent visit to our blog. John Merriman, Local Studies Librarian, Blue Mountains City Library, Springwood, NSW, Australia.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit to my blog! A great blog, I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteMy great grandmother worked at the childrens home. She was in charge of the girls. Is there more information about the home? I am interested in the years of operation, employees pictures of interior, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article.
My brothers and sisters were taken to the Children's Home due to family problems in 1956 and were cared for a year. It was a sad time for our family of 10.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Sartiono said that his mother always threatened to drop him off their when he misbehaved. and now he owns it and has his office there. Guess his mom got her wish afterall.
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