Holly Ryan Receives the 2024 Red Shoe Award

A Remarkable Journey of Service and Leadership

The Christ Child Society of Milwaukee is proud to announce Holly Ryan as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Red Shoe Award. Holly’s unwavering commitment to service, leadership, and compassion has left an indelible mark on our community.

A Legacy of Leadership

Holly Ryan’s journey with CCS began in 2004, and since then, she has worn many hats within the organization. Her tenure as co-president during the challenging 2020-2021 period, marked by pandemic-related disruptions, showcased her resilience and dedication. Despite the obstacles, Holly ensured that CCS continued its vital work, supporting children and families in need.

Nurturing the Follow the Child Philosophy

As co-director of the Second Saturday program, Holly embodies the “Follow the Child” philosophy. She believes in empowering children, mothers, and grandmothers who participate in this initiative. Her determination and hard work were instrumental in reviving the program after a two-year hiatus caused by pandemic restrictions. Recognizing that not everyone can commit to ongoing programs, Holly initiated one-day projects, including her involvement with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission project.

Building Bridges and Making a Difference

Holly’s impact reaches far beyond CCS. She has forged meaningful relationships with organizations such as Hope Network and the 16th Street Community Center. She is a vice president for St. Bakhita Catholic Worker House; a residence for women who have been sex trafficked or abused. Working with Our Lady of Good Hope Parish, Holly is helping facilitate a program similar to our Second Saturday program at All Saints.

Additionally, she is involved in providing spiritual support at three facilities – Ozaukee County Jail, Milwaukee Women’s Correctional Center and Milwaukee County Jail. Holly’s heartwarming contribution to the layette program involves collecting yarn so the women at the Center can knit and crochet beautiful baby items, as well as items for Senior citizens. She distributes the baby items to our Layette program and takes the other items to various senior citizen facilities and to Community Projects for Seniors. Her efforts ensure that even the tiniest members of our community receive love and care.

Humble Gratitude

Upon receiving the Red Shoe Award, Holly expressed her gratitude: “I am truly humbled by this recognition. Like everyone else in the Christ Child Society, I believe in action. At the banquet, I shared a quote by Edwin Markham: ‘There is a destiny that makes us brothers (sisters). None goes his (her) way alone. All that we put into the lives of others comes back into our own.’” Holly Ryan exemplifies the spirit of selflessness and compassion. Her tireless efforts remind us that “nothing is ever too much to do for a child.” Congratulations, Holly, on this well-deserved honor!