A War Activities Committee for Shamokin and Coal Township

On the evening of January 6, 1942, a new public committee was organized for Shamokin, Coal Township, and the surrounding territory. Its name was the Shamokin–Coal Township Territorial War Activities Committee. The News-Dispatch reported that its purpose was to coordinate wartime activities that were not already the specific duties of existing organizations.

Chester K. Robertson was unanimously elected chairman. The committee's first undertaking would be a Red Cross War Fund drive, accepted at the request of officers of the Shamokin Chapter of the American Red Cross. Chapter president Douglas McWilliams and treasurer Eugene Zartman were to work with the committee during the campaign, with Zartman also serving as drive treasurer.

The organizing structure reached across the community. James Kelley would lead the Coal Township area, Attorney Frank S. Moser the speakers, and John Oshinski the labor effort. Other subcommittees addressed Catholic and Protestant clergy, banks, industries, stores, organizations, and publicity. The plan joined geographic canvassing with networks through which residents worked, worshiped, and did business.

The Red Cross drive was scheduled for January 18 through 24, with a $12,500 area quota and house-to-house solicitation planned. Those were the committee's first announced assignments. The January meeting established an organization and divided its work; the campaign itself would have its own progress reports and follow-up appeals.