"Will You Help to Build the Fence?"

An advertising and publicity campaign by a charitable institution is no novelty in the east, but in the Northwest it is an innovation, and one which the Washington Children's Home Society has started with much success in this state, beginning May 1, in some of the larger cities. The society seeks to raise an endowment fund of $500,000, so that it may pursue the work of home finding for children without constantly appealing to the public for funds. During fourteen years the work of caring for homeless children has been successfully carried on by the society under the old plan, but now it seeks to broaden out. To raise its endowment, it started by advertising, in space given free by billboards and other mediums, 'Will You Help to Build the Fence?' These words, plastered on billboards, in street cars, etc., aroused unlimited curiosity in the cities for a week, before their explanation was known. Then it appeared, a little allegory whereby the Children's Home Society was likened to a fence, keeping children from falling over a cliff. It was a clever device, and because the society is probably the best known and largest charity in the state the campaign has been successful so far. People charitably inclined realize that the work of the society saves the state thousands of dollars which other states pay for orphanages, and that the children are better cared for, being adopted into good Christian homes where they are brought up to be useful men and women. From the large cities the campaign of the society for its endowment fund will be extended to all parts of the state, and all charitably inclined people will be asked to help, or to remember the society in their wills.