Yes, that was the name of the Orphanage I was in for three years; from the ages of 7 to 10. The name was a misnomer, as we never had so many friends, so we lovingly called it just "The Home".*S*
There were many bad things written about orphanages back then , but this one was an ideal place and I learned cooperation and teamwork there.

This is me with the founder of the "Home For The Friendless". She started it as a home for anyone during the depresion. When things got better, it was changed to just an orphanage. The little girls department girls were each given a rose to present to her once when she visited. There was also a home for retired older women in a separate building, now known as "The Lutheran Home for Women".

We four children had lived with maternal relatives in Ohio for 3 years after our mother died. The depression caught up with them, and daddy was able to have us brought back to Erie, PA to "The Home For The Friendless."
We looked with trepidition at the words over the door...Friendless? Well we had each other. We entered a small parlor where an elderly, kind-faced lady greeted us. She then took us to our departments; the cottage for my oldest brother. little boy's dept. for my other brother, big girl's dept. for my sister, and little girl's dept. for me.

My Matron's name was Miss McMahon, dressed in a white uniform, and seated at a small table in the center of the huge room. It was suppertime, and all the little girls were seated at their places at 2 long tables, flanking the matron's table. She asked me to join her at her table, and we were soon discussing the easy rules and regulations. After the meal was over, I watched in awe as some of the children gathered the plates and took them to a tiny kitchenette where 2 of the older girls washed and dried them, handed them to other girls, who then re-set the table, turning dishes and glassware upside down. Other children took the huge pots and pans downstairs to the kitchen.

Beyond the tables was a wall of drawers...one for each child's toys. I was given a drawer of my own and had nothing to put in it. Most of the children took a toy out and gave it to me... " To keep," they said. From the top of the drawers to the ceiling was a row of cabinets, holding games and puzzles for use by all, and I was soon intrigued by a game called Mah-Jong!

Later, I was sent upstairs to the clothing room and given complete outfits, including 3 pairs of shoes; one for play, one for school, and dressy ones for church. Back downstairs I was shown my closet to hang up my new clothes. Soon it was bedtime, and the girls stood around the matron as they all said "The Lord's Prayer." Then we proceeded out the door and down a long hall to the dormitories. One on each side, flanking the Matron's personal room. We then put on our pajamas which we had tucked under our pillows. We were to place our pillow on the chair beside our own bed. They were to be used only after we woke up and made our bed, (yes, you service people. I learned military corners at the age of 7!!..LOL). The bedspread was then placed over our blanket and the pillow.

Weekdays we had a regular routine of getting up, getting dressed, breakfast, then a public school 2 blocks away. After school, we changed clothes, received our 1 piece of candy for the day and went outside to play until suppertime. After that we could play or just chat or someone would read stories to us til bedtime again. We really had no problem there with the depression as we always had oranges, other fruit, , and great meals with homemade white and brown bread. The head cook was a sweet German woman (Mrs. Gitterman) and the kitchen downstairs near the little boys department was huge and always filled with delicious aromas.

Saturdays we each had a few chores to do and mostly played outside. Sundays we went to a church across from the school. We stayed for Sunday School and half of the regular church. Just before the sermon, they played organ music as we filed out for the walk home. After dinner, we had to memorize a bible passage, then usually went for a long walk to the Zoo or the Reservoir, or a nearby cemetery. Those who had skates were allowed to use them on our walks.

Small anecdote here: There was a fence around the property, but no gate. Sometimes our dad would come visit around playtime and just talk to us . Once he gave me a candy bar, and I was so into the routine of candy only after school that I gave it to Miss McMahon to put in the candy bin. She saw to it that I got it the next day. We put on many plays in public halls and at the orphanage hall where our parents or visitors could come and watch. We and they all seemed to enjoy it. I was not bashful either about singing a song my mother must have taught me called "Fit as a Fiddle" complete with gestures. About a month after I arrived, they were starting a musical 3 bears show. I was chosen for the part of baby bear. That was great fun. ALL the departments were involved in the plays and I could see my brothers and sister anytime on the playground or even eat with them in their departments on their birthdays. One huge play we did at Ecoma Hall in Erie, my department had a pretend snow-ball fight while wearing tutus. The snowballs were made of colored confetti and was all over the stage. Then my sister and one of my brothers crossed arms and "skated" to the "Skater's Waltz" as they glided over the confetti in their stocking feet.

Holidays too were special. At Easter we had breakfast while eyeing the long sheet covered play tables where there were interesting looking bumps, but we had to clean our plates first. Christmas was sort of a week-long affair. Entertainers came to sing and play for us and hand out small presents, oranges and candy. Christmas morning was just like Easter, only the games and toys we each received made the sheet covered tables . even higher.

For my sister and brothers' birthdays, I was allowed to have supper in their departments, and of course we saw each other regularly on the playground. Often my sister would come to my dept. to read our bedtime story to us. Summer vacation was spent mostly playing outside, but the big event was "CAMP"....

. Jay Gould owned some property on Long Island and let orphanages from all over have a camp-out there. The boy's was called "Camp Hiawatha" and the girl's was "Camp Minnie-Ha-Ha". We were all given shorts, sailor middies, and sneakers and then a long train ride to the camp. There were cabins for sleeping, a huge "mess hall", and many activities and games. My favorite time was "Backward Day." We woke to the sound of "Taps," had supper in the morning and breakfast at night, wore our clothes backwards and went to bed with the sound of "Reveille." We children were the counselors and the counselors had to do the activities. All around, just plain fun.

The orphanage is torn down now, but there is still a Sarah Reed Center for children on West 34th Street. They were happy years for me at the "Home For The Friendless".