About

The Christ Child Society, founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C. by Mary Virginia Merrick is a national non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children in need.  For over 138 years, the 4,700+ members in 45 chapters across 21 states have been driven by faith,
love, and a desire to change the future for these deserving children.



The layette program, begun by Mary Virginia Merrick, is the signature program of the National Christ Child Society and the program all 45 chapters have in common.  Each chapter operates with the sanction of the Bishop of the Diocese in which it is located.  Local chapters are autonomous, elect their own officers, set their own dues, and select and finance their own programs.


Mabel Higgins Mattingly, a friend of Mary Virginia Merrick, and professor
at the Western Reserve University, School of Applied Social Sciences, established the Cleveland Chapter of the Christ Child Society in 1916, organized a layette program, and served as its first president.

Our chapter was the fifth chapter founded within the National Christ Child Society. We respond to the changing needs of our community's children by offering a variety of programs and services that are tailored to meet their needs. We are all guided by a common mission of seeing the Christ Child in every child. 

We are continually moved to action by the words of our founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, who said;

"Nothing is ever too much to do for a child."