This year the International Ladies Benevolent Society marks its half century of uninterrupted philanthropic activities on behalf of organizations and people in need, mostly in Japan. Principally through its annual ball and its Christmas Fair, ILBS raises money that it donates to approved institutions here, and some overseas, and to local, deserving non-Japanese nationals.
ILBS is proud to have the patronage of the Imperial family. This honor and recognition bear testimony to ILBS' spotless reputation in the scrupulous management of the funds it handles. As every member is a volunteer, and administration expenses are met by membership dues, no donated money is diverted from the cause of charity for which it is intended. Few organizations can make such claims, nor attract the active engagement of so many women of caliber.
Each Christmas, someone whose daily life in Tokyo would be very full in any case undertakes to chair the committee in charge of the fair. This year Carol Smith-Wright, wife of the Canadian ambassador to Japan, holds the position. She said: "It is the first time for me to become involved in something like this. I am enormously impressed by all the work that the ladies do, and all the effort that they put in. The money raised really makes a significant difference to all those we are helping."