Malta Township Still Short On War Work Drive in 1918

From the December 19, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"The township of Malta is making  a final effort today to go over the top in the war work drive, and the chairman of the committee, Jesse Plapp, has a large force of workers out on the task of securing funds.

"The township is a few hundred dollars short of its quota, but the chairman and others are confident that a full quota will be subscribed before the drive closes."

War's Over, But Still Covering the Costs.  --Cooter

Even With War Over, the United War Work Campaign Goes On

From the December 12, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Malta township must not fail in the United War Work campaign.    The quota for the township is $2,900, of this amount $2,490 has been subscribed.

"The committee will continue the drive until the full amount is raised  To those who have not made the full subscription there are three reasons why you should come across, and come across at once:  First, you owe it to the boys; second to maintain the township's honor; third to maintain your honor.

--Cooter

President Wilson's United War Work Campaign-- Part 2

Seven organizations: YMCA, YWSA, American Library Association, War Camp Community Service, National catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), Jewish Welfare Board and the Salvation Army set out to raise $170 million during one very intensive week in November 1918.

They had a nearly $1 million operating budget and used all forms of media: print, outdoor advertising, posters, leaflets, stickers, lapel pins, radio spots and motion picture shorts.  I didn't know we had radio back then.

Not only did they meet their goal of $170 million, they ended up raising $203 million which was hailed by the press at the time as the largest fundraising event in history.

--DaCoot

President Wilson's United War Work Campaign-- Part 1

After writing about the August calendar poster on Saturday, I looked up the United War Work Campaign to find out more about it.  I was also confused about the dates it ran from November 11-18, 1918.  Wasn't the war over by then?  Why would they have a war campaign if the war was almost over?

From the Oct. 1, 2011, Duke Magazine.

On September 9, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson wrote to Raymond Fosdick, coordinator of the War department's Commission on Training Camp Activities.  The end of the war was in sight and demobilizing the nearly 4 million American troops was going to be a huge undertaking.  the president figured the process would take at least two years and require a staggering sum of money. for programs to maintain the troops' morale.

He requested that organizations pool their resources on a single massive campaign to raise money for these programs.

--Cooter

World War I Poster: United War Work Campaign

From the Smithsonian Military Posters 2015 Calendar.

A young woman rowing in a small boat named "Victory."  Words on the poster: "EVERY GIRL PULLING FOR VICTORY."  Victory Girls United War Work Campaign."

Every Girl Pulling for Victory.  Created by Edward Penfield, United War Work Campaign, 1918.

With a goal of raising $170 million towards funding World War I, the United War Work Campaign ran from November 11, 1918 to November 18, 1918.  The nationwide campaign collected over $190 mill;ion dollars.

--DaFightingCoot