(38404) Philadelphia AFSCME members throw Christmas party for hospitalized children, 1948

AFSCME Local 488 Philadelphia Hospital Employees and Philadelphia Municipal Employees District Council 33 hosted a Christmas party for hospitalized children, with Local 488 president Ronald Smith dressed as Santa Claus. The image appeared in the February 1949 issue of AFSCME’s Public Employee magazine with the caption: “Since the small patients at Philadelphia General Hospital couldn’t come to a Christmas party, the party came to them. Santa Claus has stolen the affections of the little guests, but Dr. Paschal Lucchessi, hospital superintendent (left) was enjoying the party too much to even care! John Miller [right, standing next to tree], president of Highway Local 403, and Robert Willard [right, standing behind crib], secretary-treasurer of District Council 33, were among the local members who worked to make it a festive occasion and found time to enjoy their own party.”