Mr. Jarves converted two salons of his Villa Val Fleuri into receiving
and storing rooms, engaged a secretary and two women for the packing
and re-sorting of supplies, and used the garage for opening and
receiving the cases. It is estimated that over 97,000 articles have
been thus distributed, not to mention tobacco, candies, fruit, cocoa,
chocolate, Liebig's Extract, Valentine's Essence, Benger's Food,
tetanus serum, etc.
To give a more complete idea of the extent of the work done, it is only
necessary to say that 6,393 beds have been installed in the various
buildings converted into hospitals.
Besides these immediate demands for medical and surgical supplies, came
the call of the homeless, the refugees, prisoners in Germany (Dinard
men). From all sides, these appeals poured in from the unfortunate
victims of the war.
Thousands of Belgians sought refuge in Brittany. Baronne Raymond
de Saint-Gilles, at Le Fretay, has over 4,000 dependent on her for
assistance, and Abbé Destroopers at Avranches, and Mlle. Powis de
Tenbossche at Rennes, both of whom have over 3,000 Belgians on their
refuge lists, all have been supplied with great quantities of garments.
The convents were especially deserving of assistance; many throughout
Brittany were of the poorest description. These religious women found
themselves face to face with, for them, unparalleled conditions,
and were occupied in attending Arabs, Senagalais, Turcos, Bretons,
Chasseurs Alpins and Paris "gamins."
The accommodations were poor enough and the medical and surgical
supplies utterly inadequate, for they simply did not exist.
To them, Mr. Jarves was able to give a large quantity of necessary
articles, including a hot-air apparatus, a full set of surgical
instruments, clothing, medicines, comforts and money. The supplies from
America have been divided with the conscientious desire to see American
generosity help as far as could be.
97,610 Articles Distributed The following list is an estimate of the
numbers and kind of articles distributed:
Compresses of all kinds... .. 37,000 Bandages of all kinds... ..
22,000 Pairs of socks .. 4,290 Shirts .. 2,095 Articles of children's
clothing.. .. 4,000 Articles of men's and women's clothing .. 2,500
Pyjamas .. 375 Miscellaneous articles... .. 24,500 Cotton wool
(pounds)... .. 850 Total .. 97,610
About six hundred surgical instruments have been distributed to various
hospitals in Brittany.
Gifts of money have been distributed as follows:
November, 1914—Five thousand francs to the Oeuvre des Belges, Dinard.
November, 1914—Ten thousand francs to M. Crolard (Mayor of Dinard) for
the poor of Dinard and the French and Belgian refugees.
The balance was spent in England in purchasing provisions, surgical
instruments and dressings for the hospitals.
In December, 1916, Mr. Deming Jarves gave to the town of Dinard the
sum of 5,800fr., to form a fund called the "Deming Jarves Fund" (which
was increased later to 10,000fr.), which the mayor is distributing to
the poor, residing permanently in Dinard and having need of immediate
assistance.
All automobile expenses, transport, storage, cartage, distribution
and Custom House expenses have been paid by Mr. Deming Jarves. These
expenses are estimated at not less than 15,000 fr.
The work still continues, although for the last year, through the
courtesy of the American Relief Clearing House, the cases are sent
through free of charge from Bordeaux.