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Boy's Employment Bureau

YMCA.jpg

The government authorized and practically deputized many civil organizations as volunteer hubs.  The idea was to use every scrap of spare time, to cut frivilous spending, to lower consumption, whatever it took to win the war.  Groups like the Y. M. C. A. took it upon themselves to essentially hire out their young members for menial tasks. 

It's A Hard-Knock Life

It would be impossible to list the charitable organizations who all participated in the war, but the usual list of groups would top the index.  The American Red Cross by far was the most important one.  Many local and state organizations formed to gather and distribute either money, goods and services to the troops.  People voluntarily rationed themselves.  Many gave to charity with their savings, or bought war bonds, banking on America.

It came from groups like the Y. M. C. A.  The Rotary Clubs, the Knights of Columbus, the Lions (soon to be the Lions International).  Civic minded people banding together to unite for a cause.  To win the war, to organize their efforts and to make the world a better place.  Young and old contributed to the effort, it was all hands on deck.  Whatever the age, whatever the color of their skin, they were asked what they could do to help win the war.  Whether it be self-sacrifice or volunteering.  Fund raisers and scrap metal drives were everywhere. 

There were hundreds of advertisments such as this one.  They took young boys and girls who had spare time and gave them something to do.  These boys would learn the value of hard work and get a sense of civic pride knowing that they were helping the war effort.  In a sense, it would prepare them for the future.  Hard work and sacrifice were traits which would be needed to make it through the next 30 years.