16 juin 1919 - First United Welfare Drive

Description:

Iowa City's first United Welfare Drive was a volunteer-run door-to-door campaign. It began on June 16th, 1919, and raised a total of $12,500 ($181,783 today). This supported the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Social Service League, the organization that would eventually become the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties. The League's fund went to support a visiting nurse and personal family relief, helping over 130 families.

According to a pastor quoted in the Iowa City Citizen, "The United Welfare Drive [is] the right thing at the right time. The community will derive rich rewards from this movement. Each item in the program can be made a strong factor for better manhood and better citizenship"

(Image from the Iowa City Citizen, 1919)