shiloh

 

Lending A Hand


Mennonite volunteer, 1958. 
Caroline Price Clark Collection/ Howard Clark, photographer
S-2002-72-1900

There were many civic, business, and religious organizations which helped meet the needs of the migrant laborers over the years.  Among those lending a hand were the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, the non-denominational Home Missions Council of North America, the Home Mission Service of the Baptist Church, the United Church Women of Springdale, the Voluntary Service Team of the Mennonite Central Committee, the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Washington County Health Department, and the Northwest Arkansas Area Migrant Committee. 

A variety of aid programs were offered over the years.  Volunteers and paid staff provided health care, nursery programs, education, recreation, relief, and religious services.  There were adult literacy classes, Sunday School, and educational classes for children.  A mothers’ club allowed women to socialize and make handicrafts such as rag dolls.  Area dentists treated patients and taught proper tooth care.  Doctors and public health nurses gave immunization shots and treated illnesses.

Children took field trips to the library, the fire department, and the swimming pool.  They played board games, horseshoes, and volleyball and learned skills like sewing and woodworking.  A teenage club was set up in one cabin while a church operated a clothing supply center in another.

The nursery school featured child-sized furniture, drinking fountains, and toilets.  Plenty of nutritious food and nap times were offered to help the children gain weight and lose chronic colds.

 

Serving afternoon snacks at the Day Care Center, July 6, 1966.  Mrs. Donald Hayes (left) and Mrs. Wilbur Lindstrom. 
The Springdale News Collection/Charles Bickford, photographer
SN 7-6-1966

“Though they live here and work here, some for extended periods, we do not know them and they do not know us.  This project is designed to break down those barriers between us and to aid, if we can, in making their stay with us a pleasant and profitable one.”

Mrs. George Reder, president
United Church Women of Springdale
The Springdale News, ca. 1957

“Oh goody, we have something somebody didn’t give us!”

Migrant girl learning to sew clothing
The Springdale News, 5-5-1967

“We usually try to spend about three evenings each week in the camp playing baseball, drawing, painting, square dancing, and other children’s activities.”

Young labor camp volunteer, ca. 1957

“In the normal classroom they are the low achievers, the failures, and they know it.  We are trying to give each of them the chance to succeed at something this summer, to get the feeling of having done something well.  Once this happens, they have something to build another success upon.”

Mike Zotti, deputy superintendant of curriculum and special services Springdale Public Schools
Arkansas Gazette, 8-6-1967

Introduction

A Camp is Built

The Workers

Closing the Camp

Photo Gallery

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History • 118 W. Johnson Avenue • Springdale, AR 72764 • 479-750-8165
shiloh@springdalear.gov • Copyright ©2010 Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. All rights reserved.
Photos may not be reproduced without written permission of the director.