A. Angel Layette – Hand-made gown and hat given out at local hospitals for still born babies or babies who die shortly after birth. The Angel Layette is provided to all grieving families regardless of their income level.
Annual Mass – Held in conjunction with the Spring Luncheon, the Mass is a chance for members to gather together in the name of the Christ Child. During this Mass, our deceased members and their spouses are remembered. The offertory includes layette items brought by our members
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B. Board of Directors – The Board governs the work of the Society. It consists of 15 elected members, a parliamentarian and a past presidents’ representative. The executive board of the Board of Directors consists of the president, president-elect, vice-presidents of fundraising, membership, and clothing, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and the treasurer. All other members are considered “at-large.” A term on the Board is three years.
Book Club - This group meets monthly to discuss books. It is just for fun.
Bridge Marathon – Members of the bridge marathon pay a yearly fee which is donated to the Society. Players arrange games in their homes on a monthly basis. The season begins in fall and ends in the spring at a luncheon honoring the winners. The big winners become the co-chairs for the following year.
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C. Christmas Gift Program – The Saint Vincent de Paul Society works closely with the program chair to supply names and addresses of needy families. Interested members and their families provide Christmas Gifts for these families. Members who are unable to provide presents for an entire family can donate money to the Christmas Gift program.
Clothe-A-Child I – This is the Christ Child Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. In November, letters are sent to members and “friends” of Christ Child explaining our clothing budget needs. Donors are encourage to sponsor as many layettes or outfits for older children as they are able.
Clothe-A-Child II – This is the Christ Child Society’s second largest and most visible fundraiser for our clothing budget needs. Kicking off in the early fall, generous area business sponsors, Martin’s Supermarkets, Notre Dame Credit Union and Mutual Bank sell their customers brightly colored paper dolls for one dollar each. All of the profits go directly into purchasing new clothing, jackets, and shoes for needy children in our area. This year, in addition to these business partners, two local doctors’ offices have initiated their own fund drives to benefit the children of this area. Local area Catholic Schools have participated in the fundraising by holding dress down days, or some other type of event. Altogether, our community has been very generous in helping to clothe needy children one dollar at a time.
Clothing Center – The former Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located at 308 South Scott St, is the hub of all Society business. In 1973, the Dioceses of Fort Wayne-South Bend gave the Society the building. The Center is the place where layettes are assembled, new clothing, shoes, and used clothing are sorted and all Board meetings take place in the basement. The Center is alive with activity most every Wednesday morning from August to the end of January for clothing distribution. The Center is also open three Sundays in the fall to accommodate clients who work or attend school and cannot come on Wednesday. During spring and summer months, volunteers inventory and restock for the coming school year.
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D. Day of Recollection – This one day retreat for members and guests is held on Ash Wednesday. It is an opportunity to come together spiritually and reflect on the many gifts and blessings the Christ Child has given us. It is a chance to reflect, renew, and revitalize our mission.
Directory – This little blue binder is a must have for Christ Child all members. It contains the Bylaws, Benefactors, Patrons, Guardian Angels, Board of Directors, Organizational Chart, Calendar of Events and the addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of members. In the back there are order forms for In Memoriam and Special Occasion cards and cookbooks.
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E. Endowment – The Christ Child Society of South Bend has an Endowment Fund overseen by an Endowment Committee that reports to the Board of Directors. It was established as a “rainy day” fund to be used in lean times or in the event relocation to a new building is necessary. Donations to the Endowment can be made directly or as a bequest from an estate.
Euchre – This group meets monthly to play euchre. It is just for fun.
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F. Fall Luncheon & Meeting – Held in October, this luncheon is for all members and their guests. There is a short business meeting followed by a luncheon.
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G. Guardian Angel – Guardian Angel is a special membership category with a $1000.00 enrollment fee dedicated to a deceased member or their spouse benefiting the Endowment Fund. Current members and spouses may pre-enroll. Their names are kept on a special list and they are officially enrolled upon their death.
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H. Layette of Hope – This special project was started in 2005 in conjunction with the Women’s Care Center. When a women/girl has a positive pregnancy test at the Women’s Care Center, she is given a Layette of Hope as a gift from the Christ Child Society. The layette consists of a onesie tee shirt, a pair of baby socks and a prayer. It is our Hope that this layette will act as a reminder to the mother that the baby she is carrying is a real, beautiful child. It is our Hope that that mother will choose life for her child.
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I. In Memoriam – The “In Memoriam” and “Special Occasion” cards are a way to send donations in any amount to the Christ Child Society in memory of a deceased relatives and friends or in celebration of happy events such as birthdays and anniversaries respectively. All names of those being remembered are entered in to the “In Memoriam” book and a Mass is offered for all these intentions around the twenty-fifth of each month at St. Anthony’s Church in South Bend. In Memoriam cards and Special Occasion cards may be requested from the In Memoriam chairman or via the form located in the back of the Directory.
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J. Jeans – Each child, age 1 through 12, referred to the Christ Child Society receives a new pair of jeans, a new sweatshirt, polo style shirt, 6 pairs of underwear, 6 pairs of socks, a t-shirt, sneakers, winter coat, hats and gloves.
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K. In Kind Donations – Donations of goods and services from members, family members or “friends” of Christ Child are always welcome. We can use help with advertising, printing, shipping, storage of clothing, maintenance and repairs, yarn and many, many more things. Please watch the Newsletter for announcements throughout the year for things that are needed.
Knitting – Knitters and crocheters make the handmade sweaters and hats for our layettes. Yarn and directions are available from the layette department for all who would like to join this group.
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L. Layettes – Our longest standing project started in 1947, the layette program provides clothing and essentials to babies born to needy mothers. Layettes are assembled at the Center and distributed to Saint Joseph Medical Center, Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka. Caseworkers at these facilities give out the layettes based on the financial need of the mother. Our layettes include all new: blankets, onesies, sleepers, grow bags, socks, bottles, pram suits, handmade sweaters and hats, the book Good Night Moon and informational parenting pamphlets. The new clothing is supplemented with used clothing when available. Every Christ Child Chapter in the country has a layette program.
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M. Mail – Mail sent to the Christ Child Society should go to: P.O. Box 1286, South Bend, IN 46624 not our Scott Street address.
Mary Virginia Merrick – Miss Merrick founded the Christ Child Society in Washington, D.C. in 1887. As a teen, an injury left her a complete invalid. Despite her handicap she was determined to help poor children and babies in her community. She enlisted her friends to help make layettes for needy infants. From these activities the Christ Child Society grew over the years to include 40 chapters across the country. Each chapter has a layette program and other programs designed to meet the needs of the children in their communities. The Dioceses of Washington, D.C. has begun the canonization process of Mary Virginia Merrick.
Motor Corp – This group of members picks up used clothing at a variety of schools, churches and consignment shops around the area. They deliver the clothing to the Center on Wednesday mornings. This is a great job for people who don’t have large chunks of time to devote to meetings or working at the Center since the pickup and drop off processes only take a few minutes.
My Stuff – This service project provides backpacks containing necessities and comfort items for children removed from homes due to abuse and neglect. Items include toiletries, school supplies, a night shirt, underwear and a stuffed animal for younger children. Backpacks are distributed through agencies such as the CASIE Center and Child Protective Services.
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N. National – The National Christ Child Society, organized in 1916, is a federation of 40 chapters. The National Society preserves the founding spirit of the Society, serves as a bond among chapters, publishes a newsletter sent to all members, and gives annual grants from its Merrick Scholars Fund to graduate students in social work at the Catholic University of America who are planning a career in service to children. The National Board of Directors represents the Christ Child Society nationally, acts in an advisory capacity to Chapters, studies national trends in social service, and calls attention to the unmet needs of children. Currently, each chapter pays National $7 dues for each member and $20 chapter support for each member. Therefore, $27 of each member’s dues collected by our local chapter goes to the National office.
New Member Orientation – This event is a coffee held each spring at the Center. The guest list is comprised of prospective members recommended by a current members. Guests are given a history of both the local and national chapters and a summary of the service opportunities here in South Bend.
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O. Old to Gold – Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross College hold a garage sale at the end of the school year. This is a temporary employment opportunity for members. The Society will receive money based on the hours our members work.
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P. Phone – The number of the Center is 574-288-6028.
Prayer – The Christ Child Prayer – “Remember in this Sacrifice of Thine own and only child, all children everywhere throughout the world, and grant that, like Thy Son, as they increase in years, they may grow in grace and wisdom before Thee and in the sight of men for the improvement and saving of the world. “ “O Jesus the friend of little children, bless the little children of the whole world.”
Products for Sale – The Christ Child Society has a variety of products for sale at the Center and at all member meetings. These items include: note cards, Christmas cards, pins, cookbooks and rosary CDs by Father Hesburgh.
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Q. Quilts – Members and friends of the Christ Child Society make lovely quilts that are included in our baby layettes.
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R. Raffle – The 50/50 Raffle is the Society’s third largest fundraiser. Tickets are $100 a piece. Five winning tickets will share an even portion of 50% of the gross income from the raffle and the Christ Child Society will keep the other 50%. The sale of raffle tickets takes place in late winter and the drawings will take place at the Spring Luncheon.
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S. Saint Adalbert –SUCCESS Program - SUCCESS stands for St. Adalbert School United with Christ Child Educational Support Services. It is a tutoring and mentoring program for students at St. Adalbert School, one of the neediest schools in South Bend. Volunteers from Christ Child are tutors, mentors and act as classroom helpers under the guidance of the facility and principal.
Spring Luncheon/Annual Meeting - Held around Easter time, this luncheon, for all members and their guests, takes place immediately following the Annual Mass. There is a business meeting that includes an election for new officers and the 50/50 Raffle drawing.
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T. Telephone Committee – Members who call other members to inform them of various Christ Child Society activities.
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U. Used Clothing – Used clothing is collected by the motor corps and sorted at the Center through out the year. Cold weather clothing is used to supplement the new clothing given to the clients. Good quality summer childrens’ clothing and adult clothing is sold at our Garage Sale. All good quality used infant clothing is sorted and given out with new layettes year round.
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V. Volunteers – Volunteers are the hands of the Christ Child here on Earth doing His work for at-risk children.
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W. Website – The official website of the Christ Child Society of South Bend is www.christchildsb.org and the official website for National is www.nationalchristchildsoc.org.
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X, Y, Zzzzzzzz – Get some rest. There’s a lot of work to do!
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