The Origins of the Wheel Chair Home - 1930 - 1939

Based on the newspaper clippings of the time, it seems that the 1930's was a time of picnics and parties. It also heralded the growth of the Donation Day tradition established in the early days of the Wheel Chair Home.

 Throughout the 1930's yearly Donation Days were open to the public where the Board of Directors would receive visitors and accept gifts.

An article from 1934 Donation Day Tea sets the stage: "Jams and jellies from the cellar closet, a chicken out of the icebox, a bushel of apples from Uncle John's farm in the country, or what you have that would help to pack the yawning larder of the Wheel Chair Home in Delaware Avenue, Kenmore?"

Another article describes the scene of "The guests numbering 100, arrived with gifts of jellies, jams, canned goods and fruit tucked under their arms. Grocery dealers who supply home with daily staples sent gifts in bulk, including a crate of grapefruit and two large containers of honey." On another Donation Day, the scene was similar, yet the writer added, "Checks, too, were coming in fast."

The fifty-two women living at the Wheel Chair Home would greet visitors as they passed through. In describing the day a newspaper article said "Autumn flowers, sunshine and fine weather made the day perfect, and the height of bliss was reached when one of the community orchestras arrived to play. "They read and they chat and they love the home. They tell little stories of funny things which happen out on the street. For they are very lucky, they will tell you, living on such a busy corner where "loads of people go by every day. The senior and junior boards have a regular schedule of visitors, for they are real friends with every inmate, exchanging gossip and sharing joys and sorrows with these women shut out from the world. The oldest person in the home is 94."

A very special visitor came to the Wheel Chair Home on May 2, 1932. Bing Crosby "brought a note of happiness to the ladies of the Wheel Chair Home in Kenmore." He gave one lucky audience member a box of candy, and serenaded the group with his rendition of "My Wild Irish Rose."

The Junior Board, formed in the early days of the Wheel Chair Guild, is particularly active in the 1930's. The juniors started when daughters of the Senior Board of directors wanted to help their mothers with their work. Garden parties, teas and "entertainments" were all part of the activities of the Junior Board. They also held social affairs to raise money which they then turned over to the Senior Board, and remembered patients on their birthdays and on "special days" throughout the year. On Thursday, April 8, 1937, Jessie Bowman and Billie Freiberger of the Junior Board invite the third floor patients to a Bingo Party. "Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy playing Bingo - a new experience for most of them."

Mrs. C. C. Reinhart, RN, serves as Superintendent during much of the 1930's.

Many of the newspaper articles of the time featured women from the Wheel Chair Home as publicity for the Joint Charities and Community Fund drive. Often the photos show the women sewing or playing cards together, listening to the radio. One newspaper photo from 1936 is captioned "Keep Her Smiling! She has just a few more years to live, and how happy they will be depends on the success of the Joint Charities and Community fund campaign, now in progress."

In 1935, Silver is the theme for the Wheel Chair Home's 25th Anniversary Tea. One of the original board members, Mr. George E. Dow, presents a photo of the first Board and of the first home.

On January 17, 1936, founding President Dr. Jennie Schofield passes away. The Buffalo Courier Express wrote "A well known figure for many years, Dr. Schofield was a founder and the first President of the Wheel Chair Home. The work of this organization is known throughout the country."

Despite adding rooms in the 1920's, the Wheel Chair Home capacity cannot meet demand. Wearing their finest hats, members of the Board of Directors break ground on a new $75,000 addition on Monday, June 14, 1937. Then, on February 27, 1938, the Board of Directors formally dedicates its new 52-room addition. Construction funds come from membership dues, benefits, donations, bequests, and a $35,000 mortgage from Buffalo Savings Bank. The home can now accommodate 84 women.