When she learned that a baby was due at Christmas to an impoverished family, she with the help of her sisters and friends, sewed a layette as a gift to the mother.
A young errand boy employed by the Merricks wanted a red wagon one Christmas, but knew he wouldn’t get it because his father was unemployed. Merrick told him to write to the Christ Child, the giver of all gifts. He and his siblings wrote to the Christ Child and through the generosity of Merrick and her friends, all the children received red wagons.
That explains why The Red Wagon is the name of the annual November Christ Child Society’s luncheon and fashion show, its major fundraiser.
Dayton sisters Helen and Marie Rotterman were impressed with Merrick’s work and the establishment of chapters of the Christ Child Society in major cities. In 1911, they founded the Dayton chapter with emphasis on providing layettes to mothers in need.
“Today that work continues with more than 130 members actively involved in our projects aimed at giving a better life to many in the Miami Valley,” said president Lynn Bornhorst. “The layette program with committee heads Patty Vanderburgh, Meg Begley and Julie Ames ask about 60 members to volunteer two evenings in both April and October to assemble more than 725 layettes each time.”
Meijer on Wilmington Pike offers workroom space in the back of the store for the project. Placed in bags, each layette contains two sleepers, two undershirts, two receiving blankets, 10 diapers, a bottle, a brochure noting vaccination suggestions, a book to read to the child and a prayer. Some Christ Child members hand-knit blankets and sweaters to be included.
The bags are picked up and distributed to various social service agencies such as Catholic Social Services and Montgomery County Family Services.
Norma McCloskey of Centerville travels once a month to Maria Joseph Nursing Center on Salem Avenue to lead bingo for the assisted living residents. “Usually about five Christ Child volunteers join me in bringing cookies, cheese and crackers and some fruit to add to the fun,” said McCloskey, who has little prizes for the bingo winners. “They enjoy winning a tiny bottle of lotion, a cute small stuffed animal or a candy bar.”
Each September, McCloskey stages a formal tea with fancy sandwiches, a punch bowl, silverware and candles. “It’s a special treat; even the men look forward to it. The event is posted and we have as many as 80 including some of the nuns on staff,” she said.
Cyndi Platt heads a committee to insure all children have a new coat and shoes for each new school year. Forty dollars was spent for each child, kindergarten through 12th grade.
Other activities that Christ Child Society members pursue are monitoring at Erma’s House, where non-custodial parents may visit their children in a safe atmosphere; tutoring at Mary Queen of Peace School; and providing meals for expectant mothers attending Dayton Right to Life Promise Your Baby prenatal education series.
For parents who have lost a newborn, members of the Christ Child Society sew tiny white gowns edged in lace and embroidered with a Candle of Life.
The mission of the Christ Child Society of Dayton is noted in their newsletter and other publications. “We are motivated to serve others with the faith and gratitude for the many blessings in our own lives. We embrace members of all denominations. We are dedicated to serving at-risk children regardless of race or creed; challenging poverty, one child at a time.”
Contact this writer at (937) 433-1552 or adeleauk4737@sbc
global.net.
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