The history of The League for Crippled Children

Allegany County was removed from the League name to encourage fundraising in other counties of Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The new name is: The League for Crippled Children Inc. Dr. Michael Ain joined the League as one of four devoted physicians.

Dr. Mueller resigned to move with his family to Ohio.

1961
Dr. Bennett died after thirty-five years of service to our children. The first station wagon purchased for League purposes.

1963
Dr. Phelps retired after more than twenty-five years of service to children with cerebral palsy.

1964
Dr. Thomas Hunt joined the League staff after a visit to the League to examine some of Dr. Phelps patients.

1966
Dr. Frederick Hansen succeeded Dr. Kitlowski in conducting plastic surgery clinics. Dr. Weinberg retired after twenty-four years of service. He was succeeded by Dr. Kirby vonKessler.

1968
Mr. William Hunt, Secretary of the Board of Directors died.

1942
Dr. David Weinberg joined the League staff of physicians. Dr. Eaton was away in the army. Mr. William Hunt became Secretary for the Board of Directors.

1943
The tenth anniversary celebration at Cumberland Country Club was held May 26, 1944, honoring Dr. George Bennett. The cost of a ticket was $2.50. The first theatrical production by the Cumberland Elks Lodge No. 63.was held.

1944
Financial support from Community Chest stopped due to the levying of too many restrictions and their desire to control expenditures.

1945
Inauguration of annual “Easter Seal Campaign” to raise funds for operating
costs.

1946
The first Speech Therapy Program began.

1947
A fulltime speech therapist was hired to the professional staff.

1948
Regular monthly brace clinics were established through sponsorship of the Cumberland Exchange Club. Denison Orthopedic Co. from Baltimore visited
the League office to fit children for braces. Cedric D. Denison was the orthotist in charge. Robert Denison came to help his father at age sixteen.

1950
League president, Miss Schwarzenbach was elected President of Maryland
Society for Crippled Children and Adults.

1954 The League celebrated twenty years of service to the community. A celebration was held at the Cumberland Country Club May 20, 1954.

1955
Due to the many bequests to the League, investments were made which was the beginning of the reserve fund.

1956
Miss Annan retired as executive secretary after nineteen years. She was
succeeded by Miss Henrietta Lippold R.N..

1959
The League celebrated twenty-five years of service to residents of Allegany County. A “silver anniversary” celebration was held at the Cumberland Country Club June 1, 1959.

The cooperation of the Department of Health of the City of Cumberland and of Allegany County with the Maryland State Department of Health offered invaluable help to the League over the years. The health officer and nurses

employed by the Health Department were another valuable asset to the League. Mr. Robert C. Thompson, of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service, worked hand-in-hand with the League to guide children in educational endeavors and job placement in the community.

The Maryland League was supported chiefly by the Baltimore Community Chest. When the counties were asked to assume responsibility for their own costs, it was a major step for the League. This was the deciding factor for this organization to be formed. The Allegany County League for Crippled Children, a private, non-profit 501(c) 3 organization, was incorporated. Miss Schwarzenbach was elected president. Mr. William A.
Gunter secured the charter, filed the certificate of incorporation and drew up the by-laws. The signers of the charter were: Mr. Thomas Finan, Dr. Joseph P. Franklin, Mrs. J.C. Cobey, Mr. J. William Hunt, Mrs. Sarah R. Getty, Mr. Morris Rosenbaum, Mr. William A. Gunter, Mrs. Lloyd Shaw, Mrs. George W. Legge, J. Glenn Beall Sr. and Mrs. Ralph Bretz. The first vice president was Morris Rosenbaum, he resigned and his vacancy was filled by Mr. Tasker G.Lowndes. Thomas Finan was the first treasurer. After his death, Dr. Frank M. Wilson became treasurer.

The Maryland League for Crippled Children laid the groundwork for the activities of the Allegany League and continued to serve in an advisory capacity. Although the main purpose was raising funds, the newly formed League pledged themselves to locate all crippled children within the counties boundaries, maintain a register of such and effect their physical rehabilitation time and skill to achieve what has seemed in many instances miraculous. The education needs of the children. A sponsor campaign was initiated. 7500 letters were mailed to county residents soliciting their help.

1935
A fulltime physical therapist was employed by the League. Home treatment programs were established. A second-hand car was purchased for transportation throughout the county. License for the vehicle cost $12.21.

1936
The League office was set up at 59 Pershing St. The first executive secretary employed, Miss Mildred AngleR.N. She resigned after six months and Miss Vivian Lambert Annan R.N. was her replacement.

1937
The Cerebral Palsy Program in Allegany County was started in December, with a combined clinic with Dr. Bennett. At this time the children with cerebral palsy were segregated from the rest of the crippled children’s program. Clinics were held two times per year. Miss Georg and Miss
Campbell were the two physiotherapists caring for these children. A parent’s club was formed, helping the improvement of the children through combined efforts. Dr. Winthrop Phelps joined the League. Children were referred to Denison’ s Orthotics of Baltimore for braces.

1939
The first plastic surgery clinic was held, as there was a need for children with burns, cleft lip and cleft palate. The Plastic Surgery Program was formed.
Dr. Edward Kitlowski was the physician. Hospitals participating were:
Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Union Memorial Hospital and Kernan Hospital.

1932
Dr. George O. Eaton joined as League clinician.

1927
This began what proved to be one of the most outstanding examples of charity and constructive welfare in the State of Maryland and perhaps elsewhere. The concept of the establishment of clinics in the counties of Maryland has been attributed to Dr. William S. Baer, first chief of orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and founder of the Children’s Hospital School and his associate, Dr. George E. Bennett, with the support of strong foresighted civic leaders. Shortly after the Lonaconing clinic, a second clinic was held at the Elks home in Frostburg. All crippled children in the county, whose families were unable to pay for treatment necessary to assure such children useful, happy lives and thereby reduced to negligible the risk of these unfortunate children from becoming burdens on the county and state. Dr. William S. Baer established a similar clinic in Cumberland. Dr. Bennett assisted him in the tremendous work ahead of them. So many children were brought to the clinic that it was necessary to have two clinics a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Dr. Bennett felt that this service was second to none in the United States. Miss Mary E. Church was then Executive Secretary of the Maryland League for Crippled Children and Adults. She was responsible for obtaining records, keeping notes making hospital accommodations and supplying braces as necessary.

1926
In 1926, Miss Ann Sloan of Lonaconing, Maryland visited the office of Dr. George E. Bennett in Baltimore, Maryland. This was not a professional call but a mission of interest in the crippled children of Allegany County. For a long time, Miss Sloan realized that these children were not receiving proper medical treatment. She asked Dr. Bennett to arrange for a young doctor to come to Allegany County and conduct an orthopedic clinic. She assured Dr. Bennett that her friends would assist in the work and the Health Department would co-operate in every possible way. In November 1926, Dr. George E. Bennett visited Miss Sloan’s home and with the assistance of friends and Mrs. Isabelle Thompson Loughlin of the Allegany County Health Department, the first clinic was held. Nearly ninety children were seen on that day. Many of them were badly in need of operative and other treatment. This was the beginning of what was to be for Dr. Bennett one of the most gratifying accomplishments of his professional life.1926 In 1926, Miss Ann Sloan of Lonaconing, Maryland visited the office of Dr. George E. Bennett in Baltimore, Maryland. This was not a professional call but a mission of interest in the crippled children of Allegany County. For a long time, Miss Sloan realized that these children were not receiving proper medical treatment. She asked Dr. Bennett to arrange for a young doctor to come to Allegany County and conduct an orthopedic clinic. She assured Dr. Bennett that her friends would assist in the work and the Health Department would co-operate in every possible way. In November 1926, Dr. George E. Bennett visited Miss Sloan’s home and with the assistance of friends and Mrs. Isabelle Thompson Loughlin of the Allegany County Health Department, the first clinic was held. Nearly ninety children were seen on that day. Many of them were badly in need of operative and other treatment. This was the beginning of what was to be for Dr. Bennett one of the most gratifying accomplishments of his professional life.