Letter from Jessie Hutchens and R. L. Self Seeking Donations for the North Platte Canteen

NORTH PLATTE CANTEEN North Platte, Nebraska1

Give And Keep Them Smiling Sponsored by the Patriots of the World

The North Platte Canteen is one of the outstanding Canteens in the United States, being supported solely by the citizens of North Platte and surrounding territory. Everything dispensed from this good will builder is FREE and has been donated either in the way of money or supplies.

Seven thousand women of this vicinity have contributed both in time and supplies to the feeding of over 50,000 per month of soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guardsmen or any one connected with the armed services of the United States or its Allies.

This Canteen which started out by a small group of North Platte women upon December 25, 1941, who remembering it being Christmas Day, assembled at the Union Pacific railway depot with warm drinks, candy and sandwiches to make the day one of cheer for those who could not be with their home folks upon this holiday. The manner in which this gesture was greeted pointed out to these women the need of such service to the fighting men of America in this little mid-west city. The Canteen grew from this day until it has secured for itself a reputation which cannot be surpassed by anything in this United States. It gives as its reference anyone who has ever visited the North Platte Canteen, where everyone regardless of rank, color or creed, has been treated in a manner which brings tears to both the eyes of the visiting fighting men and the women who serve them.

This Canteen has grown to such an extent that it now comes the time when it must reach beyond the limits of this community to continue its good work and this is the purpose of this message.

That the donors to this good work receive the proper recognition, the radio, the newspapers and the soldiers themselves herald them by name.

This Canteen operates without USO support and while it has no fight with this great organization, the tribute and service which these women render to the fighting men of our country and the allies, comes as a gesture from the home and hearts of these people who give unstintedly of their time and money to carry on this endeavor.

The Canteen has been recognized nationally both in newspapers and over the radio by commentators. No day passes without letters of thanks from the members of our forces, who were guests. While this is a plea to aid in this great humanitarian move, those who have acquainted themselves with this move, feel that anyone who contributed to this Canteen fund can swell with pride when they mention that they have been a partner in this great move.

We challenge anyone to mention the North Platte Canteen among the armed forces of this nation, and are willing to abide by their decision.

That this is not a mere something hot to drink and a sandwich to fill, the Canteen points with pride to such features as their 1942 Christmas Day when everyone passing through the North Platte Canteen was presented with a Christmas present besides the customary candy, cigarettes and turkey sandwiches. It also points with pride to the birthday feature which awards to anyone a birthday cake if they make known that it is their birthday.

Can the North Platte Canteen point out that you are one of those which keeps the home touch with this great traveling army of ours? Address your communications to the secretary or treasurer.

MRS. CHAS. HUTCHENS, Secretary, R. L. SELF, Treasurer.