The Greensburg Daily News Cheer Fund was established in 1911 by
Greensburg Daily News editor James E. Caskey to provide Christmas gifts to children in Greensburg.
After donations peaked in 1927, the fund struggled through the Great Depression. At its lowest point in 1933, only $165 in donations came in, but the Cheer Fund made the best of it and deliveries were still made that year. Donations did eventually pick up again, but it wasn't until 1940 that the fund was back to pre-Depression donation levels.
23 December 1927, Greensburg Daily News
3 December 1934, Greensburg Daily News
Deliveries of gifts were not made for 5 years, from 1944 to 1948, “because of greatly diminished need for the fund during the war years and immediately thereafter.” In 1949, the fund was re-instituted and volunteers were able to provide presents for 50 children with money that had been on deposit since 1943.
20 December 1949, Greensburg Daily News
In the early 1950’s, the fund expanded to provide gifts to adults as well as children. In 1959, the Decatur County Rural Youth Club brought attention to the needs of people throughout the county, and the fund was expanded a second time to provide countywide service.
7 December 1959, Greensburg Daily News
This year, the Cheer Fund goal is $53,500. Find out how you can help at
www.cheerfund.org. You can also contribute by donating a new book at the library by December 20 for inclusion in the Cheer Fund deliveries.
