In December 1884, Mary Virginia Merrick was told about a woman who would soon give birth and who had no clothes for her baby. Quickly organizing her sisters and friends, Mary Virginia provided a complete layette in time for the infant’s arrival. This was the beginning of what became the signature program of the Christ Child Society – the Layette program. Other service programs soon followed as members identified ever-changing needs within the community.

Members lead, organize and support these Follow the Child programs that impact the children in our community:

   BABIES and CHILDREN
SERVED BY OUR ORGANIZATION
in the 2019-2020 FISCAL YEAR

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Christ Child Society was able to provide only limited support for our programs in the 2020-21 fiscal year. We are committed to resuming all programs at full capacity as soon as it becomes safe to do so.

Infant Layettes

  • 1,862 Layettes distributed to 18 hospitals and social service agencies for needy newborns

My Stuff Bags

  • 711 My Stuff Bags distributed to 5 shelters and agencies for children in crisis removed from their homes
  • Donated yarn delivered to 2 prisons for inmates to crochet hats, mittens, and scarves for My Stuff Bags

Second Saturday (September through May)

  • 185 mothers/grandmothers attended
  • 407 babies/children attended
  • 70 backpacks with school supplies provided

School Support Services

  • 4 schools received financial assistance for programs to benefit students
  • CCS has tutors at Blessed Savior South Elementary School

  Vision Screening 

  • 400 children screened by 35 vision screeners at 7 parochial schools 
  • Approximately 10% of the children referred for a complete eye exam