Christ Child Society Given National Charter

Published: September 9, 2004

ATLANTA—The Christ Child Society of Atlanta was awarded its charter from the National Christ Child Society at the national convention on April 17. The Atlanta chapter is one of 39 chapters in 18 states and the District of Columbia with 7,000 members dedicated to serving children in need within their own communities.

The Christ Child Society was founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C., by Mary Virginia Merrick. A devout Catholic, Merrick was injured as a young girl in a fall from a tree house; spinal injuries forced her to live the rest of her life in a reclining position. In spite of constant pain, she dedicated her life to helping children. Merrick was officially declared a Servant of God in April 2003.

The Atlanta chapter carries on the Merrick legacy by aiding children through four core programs: layettes, books, “My Stuff” bags and backpacks. Layettes are given to hospitals and clinics that serve the poorest of the Atlanta community. The book program has collected over 3,000 new and used children’s books, which are given to children who have no books of their own. “My Stuff” bags are tote bags filled with personal care toiletries and essential clothing items. The society provides these bags to children who have been removed from their homes as they enter emergency shelter. New and used backpacks are collected for homeless women and children who are residents of an Atlanta day shelter.

One of the Christ Child projects completed this summer was creating a mural on one of the outside walls of the Atlanta Day Shelter. Volunteers cleared a 20- by 55-foot wall of kudzu and painted an aquarium scene for the residents of the shelter.

Christ Child Society members also give hand-sewn bereavement gowns to a local hospital. These gowns are given to mothers whose babies die shortly after birth. In addition, the chapter plans to support a local neonatal unit through holding and feeding premature infants.

Membership in the Christ Child Society is open to anyone who desires to help needy children.

For more information call (770) 475-9545 or visit the Web site at www.christchildatlanta.org.