[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE CHRIST CHILD SOCIETY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Christ Child 
Society of South Bend, an all-volunteer organization that has served 
the community for over 60 years. In 1947, a group of women gathered in 
the home of founder Puddy Crowley to make baby clothes for a few needy 
families. Since then, the Christ Child Society has grown to a 
membership of over 500 and a client list of over 4,000 at-risk children 
and is one of the largest and most active of the 41 chapters in the 
United States.
   The South Bend chapter is an affiliate of the National Christ Child 
Society, founded in 1887 by Mary Virginia Merrick in Washington, DC. An 
invalid, Miss Merrick turned her attention from her disability to 
helping the poor children of Washington. For her selfless work she 
received the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame and the 
Papal Cross, among other honors, and has been declared a ``Servant of 
God,'' the first step toward canonization.
   Following the model of Miss Merrick, the South Bend Chapter gives 
infants, born to needy mothers who are often just children themselves, 
a bountiful layette containing items such as blankets, clothing and 
baby items. Children, ages one through twelve, are referred by local 
agencies, churches, or schools to receive new winter clothing. Each 
child receives a wardrobe which includes a winter coat, hat, mittens, 
underwear, socks and shoes, and two outfits.
   The Christ Child Society expanded its services to include a project 
that provides backpacks containing necessities and comfort items for 
children removed from homes due to abuse and neglect. Volunteers from 
the Christ Child Society are tutors and mentors and act as classroom 
helpers at one of the neediest schools in South Bend.
   The increased need for clothing and the expansion of services led 
the Christ Child Society to move to its new location, a former school 
which has been filled to capacity with children's clothing. The 
dedication of the new clothing center marks a new chapter in the 
history of this vital and compassionate organization.
   The Christ Child motto is ``Challenging poverty, one child at a 
time.'' The dedicated members work tirelessly at purchasing, sorting, 
and distributing clothes and fundraising while demonstrating genuine 
love and concern for the children they serve. The self-esteem and joy 
brought to the children is one step out of the cycle of poverty.
   So, today, on behalf of the citizens of Indiana's Second District, I 
honor the members of the Christ Child Society of South Bend and extend 
my hope for a better life to the children they serve.

                          ____________________