Bethlen Naptár, 1952 (Ligonier)
To our second generation. Superindent's annual report of the activities and life in the Bethlen Home
BETHLEN NAPTÁR 189 The total expenses for the year 1950 were $77,061.48, of which amount 63% or $50,012.89 was spent directly for the general care of our children and old folks and for the maintenance of our institution. This is the amount, or about $50,000.00, that we need annually to keep our institution going under the present economic conditions and to provide the necessities for those under our care. (This does not include investments and debt reductions.) Through God’s grace and bountiful blessings, through the charitableness of our Federation, our churches and our many friends, and through the loyalty, work, patience and ingenuity of our staff members: this need has always been met. We have always felt God’s love and His nearness to us even through trial and hardship. He loved us so that he wanted us to expand our program and charitable work, which project I shall touch on later in my report. ENROLLMENT During the year 1950, we took care of 37 children: 23 boys and 14 girls. Of this number 33 were of the Reformed faith, 2 were Lutherans, 2 Roman Catholics. We discharged four children, admitted 10 new children, among them 8 displaced persons, making a total of 18 D. P. children for whom we cared thusfar. The total number of children on Dec. 31, 1950 was 34; 19 boys, 15 girls, among whom 4 were enrolled in our high school and 30 in the elementary grades. In our Old Folks’ Home 45 guests were cared for: 18 women and 27 men. 35 of these were Protestants, 8 Roman Catholics, 1 Greek Catholic and 1 Baptist. A man and wife left the institution, 3 men went to their reward, 5 old folks were admitted during the year, among them 2 displaced persons; thus the total number of our old folks was 40 at the end of the year 1950. Children and old folks totalled 75. GENERAL CARE The children as well as the old folks were well cared for and had adequate comforts. All that our staff could offer our guests in the way of nurture and care, both physical and spiritual, were given in the Christian spirit of “bearing one another’s burdens”. Regarding their physical well-being, they were given nourishing food, good clothing, medical and resident nurse care, and the proper recreational and work program. Spiritual care was provided through the daily devotions, Sunday worship services in our own chapel as well as in the local Presbyterian Church, to which church our children go to Sunday School and
