Date: October 10, 1930
Location: Northampton, MA
Summary: Coolidge urges people to give money to local charities.
(Original document available here)
This is the month when many localities are replenishing their community chests. In some respects this will not be so easy this year as at other times because some people will feel it more difficult to make contributions. But from another angle it will be easier because every one will realize that the needs for the coming winter will be greater. The calls on all kinds of charitable institutions will be increased and more money must be furnished to meet them.
While there has been depreciation in many classes of property, the fixed income from investments has been little impaired. This country has resources that must be used to give the necessary charitable relief to those in need. Contributions to the various community chests in the coming canvass should be measured not so much by the present prosperity of the giver as by the requirements of the situation.
Accumulated wealth will be of very little value to society unless it voluntarily comes to the rescue in time to prevent public suffering. It must be demonstrated again that the surpassing generosity of the people of the United States will not fail.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Fr. Stephen Lawson who prepared this document for digital publication.