Christ Child Society of South Bend
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Christ Child Society of South Bend2366 Miracle Lane
Mishawaka, IN 46545
(in the Town and Country Shopping Center)574-288-6028Parish Communication Liaison: Marie Burt
joe.burt11@gmail.com, 574-271-5987
The Christ Child Society of South Bend – Mission Statement: The South Bend Chapter of the Christ Child Society is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to the personal service and clothing of all needy children and infants in the love and spirit of the Christ Child.
The Christ Child Society moved in 2020 to Town and Country Shopping Center, Mishawaka. For the past 61 years, the primary project has been to provide new winter clothing to economically disadvantaged children from newborn through age twelve without consideration of religion or ethnic factors. Volunteers are there to distribute new (and gently used) clothing to clients from St. Joseph County on Wednesdays from mid-August through January. Additional hours are occasionally added on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Last year over 4,400 children received clothing from The Christ Child Society as well as books. During the other months inventory is evaluated, clothing ordered, and preparation for the next season occurs.
Have you heard of their new program: Foster Hope?
When children are put into foster care CCS receives their names and clothing sizes. Children are provided with all the clothing items normally distributed at the Center plus pajamas. Every child up to age 17 also receives a stuffed animal. Included in the care tote may be a small toy or toiletries; new clothes are also given out as available.
Activity occurs year-round in three layette programs:- A Layette of Hope (a onesie and a pair of socks with a card that reads “Please accept this gift with love from The Christ Child Society. We pray that you will have a healthy baby and a safe delivery” is given to every woman who has a positive pregnancy test at the Women’s Care Center. Five-thousand Layettes of Hope were given out in 2011.
- An Angel Layette (a gown, hat, blanket, and a book) is given to those who lose a baby at birth regardless of income level.
- A layette (crib blanket, two receiving blankets, three nightgowns, three sleep and play pajamas, bath towel, four pairs of socks, one outfit to grow into within a few weeks, a sweater, one “Good Night Moon” book, a stuffed bear, a card with a Miraculous Medal, and an information packet with helpful hints for new mothers with a card indicating this is a gift from The Christ Child Society) is given to mothers at the hospital who are referred by the hospital’s Social Services Department. Five-hundred layettes were given in 2011.
The Christ Child Society of South Bend also offers tutoring/mentoring at St. Adalbert Parish.
***A donation bin is located in the Parish Life Center throughout the year for anytime a parishioner wishes to share something with the children in our community. A list of needed items can be found here. Thank you to the volunteers who weekly deliver donations to Christ Child Society of South Bend.***
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