Fundraisers

"Pie Social, to be held in the Lecture Room of St. Paul's Reformed Church, by Class No. 17, on Thursday even'g, Dec. 6, 1900, for benefit of Building Fund. Price, 10 cents." Happy Pi Day !

The Rev. John William Hamilton was founding pastor of the People's Church in Boston, where he served from 1875 to 1884. He was later elected as a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This fundraising card provides evidence of the ambitious building program that took place during Hamilton's tenure at the church. According to The Centennial of New England Methodism (Boston, Mass: Crawford Brothers, 1891), ed. George A. Crawford, the construction of the People's Church took about seven years. "The corner-stone of the chapel and parsonage was laid May 27, 1877.... The corner-stone of the church-building itself was not laid until July 3, 1882, and the building was not opened for worship until Sunday, February 10, 1884" (pp. 508-9). The Owner of This Card Has Purchased One Brick in the People's Church Cor. of Columbus Avenue and Berkely St., Boston. The Rev. J. W. Hamilton, pastor. The edifice combines three buildings in one: the church, parsonage, and chapel. The main auditorium will seat 3000 people; the chapel opens into it, greatly increasing its capacity. No expensive tower or costly ornaments, and the church will be free. The Rev. D. W. Couch, financial agent. D. E. Poland, pres. and treas. board of trustees. "The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all." [Proverbs 22:2.]

The 1893 edition of Boyd's Directory of Harrisburg and Steelton , p. 29, lists a "Hope Steam Fire Engine Co., No 2," in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with an address on "2d [Street] bet[ween] State and North," and I believe that this is the same "Hope Fire Co. No. 2" described here, with a fire house located at "Second and North Streets." Although the fire company itself no longer exists, the "Hope Station" building is now the Fire House Restaurant . "Bazaar and fair, Hope Fire Co. No. 2, March 18 to 25 inclusive. We cordially invite you, your family, and friends to attend this bazaar and fair, which will be held in the parlor of fire house, Second and North Streets. Something doing every minute. Donations of cakes and candies will be appreciated. Admission free, everyone welcome. Raysor, printer."

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1910 and 1912 (below). Birthday Party, in the Methodist Church, Parryville, Tuesday evening, February 18, 1896, at seven o'clock. Invitation. This "Birthday Party" is given for you, 'tis something novel, something new. We send to you a little sack--please either send or bring it back With as many cents as you're years old, we vow the number will ne'er be told. Methodist people with greetings hearty, fell sure you'll attend your own birthday party. Benefit of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Church. Cake and coffee free.

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1896 and 1912 (below). The Mite Society will give a Birthday Party, Thursday evening, Sept. 15th, 1910, in the Nantmeal M. E. Church, Rev. J. S Tomlinson, pastor. This birthday party Is given to you; We hope you will come, And propose if you do, An agreeable time. Some good things to eat And besides many others A musical treat. As we could not secure The number of candles To let your light shine, We send this fandangle; Put safely within it As many round pennies As years you are old. Your light will be bright. If you send it or bring it. While we will keep dark, If you wish, what's within it. The Mite Society With greetings most hearty, Feel sure you will come To your own birthday party.

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1896 and 1910 (below). Birthday Offering, will be held in the Social Hall of Cookman M. E. Church, October 15, 1912, by the Epworth League in honor of the 45th birthday of George W. Young. Upon this card, a little sack, We give to you with pleasure; Please either send or bring it back, Having filled it from your treasure. To put in pennies were are told, As many years as you are old; And if your name in public be read, We promise the number will never be said. Refreshments will be served to all, and we kinly invite you to make a call; And earnestly pray that the Lord will bless And crown the work with abundant success. The proceeds are for the benefit of the society. If not convenient to attend, please forward sack with your offering.

"A grand entertainment will be held on Saturday even., April 3, '97, in Cooper's Hall, for the benefit of the Salunga Cornet Band. The comedy-drama 'Tatters' is one of the finest amateur plays that has been written, abounding in the most pathetic and humorous scenes. Good music will add largely to the night's entertainment. Don't fail to come; rain or shine. Admission, 15 cents. Reserved seat, 20 cents. Committee. Pluck Print, 38 East Chestnut Street, Lancaster, Pa."

A poetic invitation to a church fundraising event featuring pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day. The card is not dated, and I have not been able to determine the city or state where James P. Wolff's residence on South Broad Street may have been located. A Google search turned up a brief mention of a similar gathering in 1896: "A Pumpkin Social at Thanksgiving was a novelty, the proceeds furnishing eleven baskets of food for our poorest families" ( Sixteenth Annual Report of the General Board of Managers of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Year 1896-97 , Cincinnati: Western Methodist Book Concern Press, 1897, p. 115). -------- Pumpkin Social Thanksgiving Day Evening Residence Mr. J. P. Wolff, South Broad St. A pumpkin seed in my garden fell, And it grew, and grew. And it said to the Rose of Sharon blossoms "A Thanksgiving pumpkin I'll be to you. Let me be of use to get, Money on the new church debt. My heart when freed form all its eyes, Makes delicious pumpkin pies. Call your friends and make a feast. Give each one a great big piece, Accompanied by a glass of milk. Soon over town, 'twill be the talk. Some wax candles you must put, In the arm holes of my coat, For a jack o'lantern fine, On the gathering throng to shine. In my pocket there is room for a lot of silver coin. Even my seeds may be of use, While concealed they're hard to guess." Now have the roses of Sharon agreed, To the plan of Thansgiv'g pumpkin seed So we've come to invite you to the treat, At the home of Jas. Wolff, South Broad St. Remember the time, Thanksgiving day, Don't anyone think of remaining away. Bring all your friends, don't let the time pass Without lending your aid to our S.S. class.

The Sunday school of the Third Moravian Church of Philadelphia used share certificates like this to raise funds for the purchase of a church bell. The sale of all 2,500 shares at 10 cents each would have raised $250, and perhaps that would have covered the cost of a bell in the 1870s, which is when these certificates were issued. For another nineteenth-century fundraising strategy that involved buying bricks rather than shares, see The Owner of This Card Has Purchased One Brick in the People's Church, Boston, Mass., ca. 1880 (below). Third Moravian Church Sunday School, Harrowgate, Philadelphia. 2,500 shares. 10 cents each. This is to certify that John Diehne is entitled to one shares in the bell of the Third Moravian Church at Harrogate, Philadelphia. Chas. Thieley, president. J. Lietz, secretary, Senseman & Son, Printers, 416 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia.

A box social was a fundraising event as well as a social occasion. In this case, I believe that the guys had to bid on one of the "carpet rag balls," which they'd then have to unwrap in order to discover whose name was inside. Once a fellow was able to determine which girl's name was inside the rag ball, he could dine with her and partake of the "box of eatables" she brought along. Of course, if a guy had a steady girlfriend, he had darn well better figure out ahead of time which rag ball to bid on! Box Social A Carpet Rag Box Social will be held at the Spring Hill House on Friday eve., Feb. 26, 1904. Proceeds for the benefit of the Spring House School. Every girl bring a carpet rag ball with her name in the center. Also a box of eatables. Similar events held at different times and places: "Monticello [located in Kansas] was well represented at the 'carpet-rag' box social at Round Prairie school house last Wednesday evening." -- Olathe Mirror (Olathe, Kansas), Jan. 20, 1898, p. 2. "Hallowe'en Rag Ball. A Hallowe'en Carpet-rag Ball will be held at the Trout Creek hall Saturday evening, November 3. Ladies should bring a carpet rag ball with name inside and a box supper for two. A price limit of $1.50 per ball has been set and the proceeds will be used for the purchase of playground apparatus for the Flat school." -- Sanders County Ledger (Thompson Falls, Montana), Oct. 25, 1917, p. 1.