Uptown District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Charity Newsies

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2026

1. Charity Newsies Marker

Inscription. The Columbus Dispatch
Charity Newsies Edition
June 15 2018
100% Charity
Charity
Newsies
100% for Charity
110 Year Commemorative Charity Newsboy Statue Contributors
Fine Arts Studio- Bruce Hanners • Mark and Jan Beck Barmann • Ronald C. Cooper Memorial • Anthony Thomas Chocolates • Columbus College of Art and Design • Columbus Dispatch • Megan and Mark Dempsey • Egan and Ryan-Funeral Services • Lifeline of Ohio • Ohio Newsboys- Past PResidents • A.O. Wing Insurance Agency • Al Wing and family • John T. McFarland • Plank's on Parsons- Walk Family • Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus • Jan and Dave Shelby • Gene Scholz Family • Speer Mechanical • Gwen and Tom Weihe • Thurn's Specialty Meats • Tom and Nancy Beck Family • Shary Carroll • Charles Herrera • James Martin • Richard and Susan Maslyk • Charles J. Rundio IV and Famly • Schoedinger Family • Humanitarian Award • Dave Thomas • John Wolfe and Family • Kate M. Rodgers

A Good Old Lady Remembers the Newsies…

Eighteen months before the date of their silver annivery the Charity Newsies

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were given a bit of good news which was one of the crowning events of their twenty-five years of existence. They were gathering at the Neil house on June 11 for the annual election. The Newsies were addressed by President Otto J. Wheeler, who had been selected for another term, and told that Mrs. Kate M. Rodgers, pioneer resident of Columbus who had died at the end of April 1930, at the age of 87, had left the Newsies her fortune of $15,000, to be held as a perpetual trust fund. Income yearly was to go into the Newsies fund for relief for the pool. Mrs. Rodgers was born in the American Hotel, then located at State and High streets, the daughter of Timothy Griffith and Lydia Ann Weaver. Her father had been one of the most active business men of his time in Columbus, and the family was on intimate terms with Gov. William Dennison. Newsies were pall-bearers on the day she was buried from the Trinity Church, and a small army of newsboys marched in the funeral procession. She had loved the little newsboys of the street. And admired the work of the grown-up newsboys. That was given as her reason for leaving her money to the Charity Newsies.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2026

2. Charity Newsies Marker

Announcement of the bequest was made to a committee of the Newsies soon after her death by her attorney, Hugh Huntington, and general announcement of what it would mean to the order was made at the election. Here was a great result indeed. This little band of men which had started around Broad and High nearly twenty-five years ago had worked so faithfully, so ardently and so effectively that a little old woman, plodding along High Street from her home in the Southern Hotel, had noticed them and had decided they should have her money. With no close relative, unknown and almost unnoticed, she walked through the streets which had once been filled with her friend's Other charities there were, many of them, which she could have chosen, but she only watched the little newsboy on the street, and her bigger brother, the Charity Newsie, and whispered in her failing voice to her lawyer: "Give it all to the Charity Newsies!"

Columbus Citizen-Journal
Charity Newsies Edition
June 15 2018
The Beginning…

It was a cold and and blustery day in December of 1907. A small newspaper boy was standing on the corner of Broad and High streets.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2026

3. Charity Newsies Marker

Inside Billy's chophouse, George Baker, interlocutor of the Fields Minstrels, and Harry Shunk, famous minstrel of the monologist and comedian, were talking with C.C. Philbrick, publisher of the new Ohio Sun newspaper. The three men were discussing what the poor kids of the area were going to do about clothing this year when they noticed a newsboy and brought him inside where it was warm.

On the spur of the moment, they took the young boy's newspapers and with cries of "it's all for charity!" sold the papers and sent the boy home with more money than he ever had seen. The men felt great. They decided the minstrels should get together and try to get monev for the poor by selling the Ohio Sun.

A total of 50 men met the Sunday before Christmas., December 20, 1907, and went to churches, restaurants and other gathering places to sell their papers. The 50 men collected 702.42 on the street. It was the beginning of the motto that still holds true today for the Charity Newsies, "100% for Charity!", "100% for the children". Garrett Cotter was secretary for 24 years and the president. Harry Krumm, the postmaster and an original organizer

Charity Newsies Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 27, 2026

4. Charity Newsies Sculpture

was made chairman after someone suggested the organization become permanent.

During the historic first year additional money was later received so a total of $835 was raised and given to the Salvation Army and Volunteers of America for proper distribution to needy families.

During the first meeting held December 2 1908. Harry Krumm was reelected chairman. At the second meeting it was determined there would on by 50 dues-paying embers. At the time the administration of the group adopted the slogan: "100% for Charity. "And it was determined the prerequisite for membership would be that one would have to be a newsboy. In the second year the project prospered even more. Over $1,000 was raised. The largest collector was given the "Bell Cow Newsies Award." Charles Wolfe, who raised $208, was the recipient.

The Ohio Newsboys Association, the official name of the group, became incorporated in 1908.

In 1908 members believed they could raise more money and get more exposure by holding the sale on Saturdays. At that time C.C. Philbrick, past publisher of the Ohio Sun, became president of the group. The selling of the first paper, a

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tradition that still exists today, was adopted, a tradition that still exists today, was adopted. The first paper was sold to Samuel Essiwein, a plumber. A total of $2,980 was raised. "It's all for the children!"

100% for charity
Open your heart!
It's all for the children
The Ohio State Journal
June 15 2018
Artist Statement Fine Arts Studio was contacted by Tom Beck of the Charity Newsies in March 2017 to Sculpt a lifesize Newsboy, the icon of the organization. Bruce Hanners was commissioned to build the statue in Bronze. The process to place the statue required many meetings with city officials and commitees. The artistic process was a team effort involving many Artists.

Bruce Hanners was lead sculptor, and was assisted by sculptor Casey Bradley in the casting process.

Sculptress Paige Stanonik assisted in molding, casting, and finishing. Artist Leigh Lotocki assisted in the design ad model making. CCAD Students Janella Caudill, Wujian Wang, Isma Reyes, Spencer Ison assisted in the construction. Ft. Hayes Students Yanaset Ayala, Karla Jones, and Nathan Ford documented the process.

Columbus College and Art & Design's contribution was invaluable to the success of the project. CCAD provided studio space and foundry facilities to cast and finish the statue.

The project was a journey that gave the artist an opportunity to use his talents and experience to create a work of art. The sculpture will assist children and families who are in need, and was an educational experience for the students and artists who assisted in the sculpture.

The mission of the Charity Newsies inspired the creation of a bronze Newsboy. The Sculpture will help spread the word of their work, helping the children to advance their education and grow and prosper into the future. The Sculpture immortalizes the original newsboy who inspired a group of caring good Men 110 years ago to act to improve their community.

110 Years of Sharing and Caring
110% from your heart
100% for the children
100% for charity
Price whatever your heart tells you
The mission of Charity Newsies is that no child shall be kept out of school for lack of adequate clothing.

Erected 2018 by Charity Newsies.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is December 20, 1907.

Location. 39° 57.745′ N, 83° 0.013′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the Uptown District. It is on East Broad Street (U.S. 40) west of North Pearl Street when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 East Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Scioto Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Office Building of the National Football League, 1927-1939 (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Charity Newsies (here, next to this marker); Trinity Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The State House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Unknown Boy Scout (within shouting distance of this marker); Intersect (within shouting distance of this marker); William B. Saxbe (within shouting distance of this marker); James A. Rhodes (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.