When this war broke out I thought about how wonderful it would be if I were grown up and could help with it. (I am 13.) Little did I realize how much there was for a junior miss of today to do. First I started to buy bonds and stamps. Today I have eight $25 bonds, one $100 bond and $16 worth of stamps. All of this from my own earnings. I wasn't satisfied with only that, so I decided to do a show for the soldiers. I have entertained several times at the Hollywood Canteen, Hollywood, U.S.O. Center, Ft. MacArthur, Glendale U.S.O. and at the Biltmore. Still I wasn't satisfied. So now here are the things I do around the house:
1 - Keep the gas as low or off as often as possible.
2 - Keep dangerous objects out of reach so there will be no need to call a doctor.
3 - Save electricity.
4 - Keep a first-aid kit for emergency.
5 - Have a blackout room.
I also study first aid with my class. I have given up making unnecessary trips to town and do the greater part of my traveling by streetcar or bus.
I don't buy many new clothes and save the money for stamps. I save all our kitchen grease and give the money I get for it (after I have collected a dollar or two) to the Red Cross. I also save paper, tin cans, rubber, etc.
I have recently signed up to make beds at the Hollywood Guild Canteen on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If all young Americans would save, and save some more, they would be doing more good than they realize. So come on, young America, get going!
DARLA HOOD,
Seventh Grade at Long's Professional School, Hollywood.
Special note: Presumably, Darla was no longer under contract at M-G-M, since she wasn't attending school there anymore. She also correctly gives her age as 13, which would indicate that she was now aware of her actual birthdate, something that she was kept in the dark about when she was younger.