Christ Child Society needs your help

By MIKE MATVEY- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

The Christ Child Society of Albany has been helping children and families in need since 1973. And now the society needs your help more than ever to continue its mission.

The Albany chapter of the national organization has been particularly hard hit by the effects of the coronavirus, having to postpone, then cancel its women’s fashion show and luncheon, which was originally scheduled for April and then September. The show, with its theme baskets, is a major fundraiser for the group.

“We have to think about other ways to raffle off the theme baskets,” said Jeanette May, chapter president. “We are hoping that somebody can step up and help us do an online raffle and help in reaching out to people in the next generation.”

May — who said 60 percent of the group’s budget comes from donations, which have come to a grinding halt because of the coronavirus — said the organization currently helps 20 agencies from St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam and St. Peter’s Hospital to Alpha Pregnancy Care Center to Whitney Young Health Centers and so much more.

Just what are some of the specific things the society does? They serve pregnant mothers in need by delivering 500 layettes (bags of clothing and diapers including a handmade blanket and sweater set) to their partner agencies; they deliver 400 comfort bags (handmade cloth bags filled with personal care items, books, crayons and coloring book and a stuffed animal which is frequently handmade) to domestic violence shelters and foster care programs; are committed to children’s literacy; and, seasonally, they adopt families for Christmas, hold a school supply drive and outfit children for first communion.

May said the society, based out of St. Madeleine Sophie Church, has 110 volunteers and served over 1,500 children (99 percent from low-income families) in 11 of the 14 counties in the Diocese last year.

“I think support in general is great,” May said, “and time is great if people have time and could help with getting us more out there in social media.”
For more information, email [email protected]