Nan Bruckman didn’t set out to join the Christ Child Society (CCS) board — in fact, she wasn’t even sure how it happened at first. “I was not inspired to join,” Nan said with a laugh. “I was asked to be Corresponding Secretary and then found out I was on the Board!”
Nan’s introduction to the Christ Child Society began through a friend, Karen Gibbs, who shared the organization’s mission with her. Intrigued, Nan attended a Shower of Love event in early 2023, hosted by Mary Anne Dockery-Jackson. “Mary Anne handed me an invitation,” Nan recalled. “Shortly after the Shower, I joined — and then she asked me to be Corresponding Secretary.”
As Corresponding Secretary, Nan’s primary responsibility is to write thank-you letters to donors and help with mailings. “It’s rewarding to express gratitude to people who support our mission,” Nan said. “I also enjoy attending board meetings and putting in my two cents about planning things.” Despite her active role, Nan remains humble about her involvement. “At this stage of my life, I have no interest in being a mover or shaker,” she said. “I’d prefer to be a worker bee.”
Nan’s passion for the Christ Child Society mission is rooted in her pro-life values. “If you want to feel that you are truly doing something to help mothers with unplanned pregnancies, CCS is a great place for you,” she said. “There’s something very special about packing up those layettes, knowing that a new mother and her precious baby will be delighted with the contents.”
A particularly memorable moment for Nan was when she brought a batch of hand-knit baby hats to a board meeting. “Lisa Levy immediately scooped them up to take to the hospital because she had just had a request,” Nan said. “It made me feel so good to be of service.”
Nan’s love for layette assemblies reflects her hands-on approach to service. “Teamwork is the key to success,” she said. “It’s amazing how we put our heads together and make wonderful things happen.” She hopes the Christ Child Society continues its steady path of service. “I don’t think we need lofty goals,” Nan said. “We’re doing small things with great love — just as we are.”
Nan is excited about the upcoming play, having missed the first two performances. Playcrafters Barn Theatre will be putting on the play Miss Nelson is Missing on June 26, 2025, at 7:30 pm. The cost will be $25 for adults and $18 for children ages 17 and under. This is a CCS fundraiser; tickets may be purchased by scanning the QR Code or sending a check payable to CCS of QC, PO Box 6184, Rock Island, IL 61201 by June 23.
She also hopes more people will learn about CCS’s involvement with the Genesis Bereavement Suite. “It totally demonstrates how we honor every little life,” she said. Nan describes the Christ Child Society in three simple but powerful words: Love. Determination. Generosity.
Outside of her volunteer work, Nan enjoys a quiet life at home. “In retirement, I’ve become the housewife I always thought I could be,” she said. “I love to bake, cook, knit, sew — all that domestic stuff.” A voracious reader, Nan also enjoys crosswords, Sudoku, Word Finds, and, of course, knitting. Nan and her husband, John, belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island.
When asked who inspires her most, Nan quickly named Mary Anne Dockery-Jackson. “She’s like the Energizer Bunny,” Nan said with admiration. “I admire her total dedication to CCS.”
With her steady hand, thoughtful words, and quiet strength, Nan Bruckman embodies the heart of the Christ Child Society mission — making a difference one thoughtful gesture at a time.
Nan’s introduction to the Christ Child Society began through a friend, Karen Gibbs, who shared the organization’s mission with her. Intrigued, Nan attended a Shower of Love event in early 2023, hosted by Mary Anne Dockery-Jackson. “Mary Anne handed me an invitation,” Nan recalled. “Shortly after the Shower, I joined — and then she asked me to be Corresponding Secretary.”
As Corresponding Secretary, Nan’s primary responsibility is to write thank-you letters to donors and help with mailings. “It’s rewarding to express gratitude to people who support our mission,” Nan said. “I also enjoy attending board meetings and putting in my two cents about planning things.” Despite her active role, Nan remains humble about her involvement. “At this stage of my life, I have no interest in being a mover or shaker,” she said. “I’d prefer to be a worker bee.”
Nan’s passion for the Christ Child Society mission is rooted in her pro-life values. “If you want to feel that you are truly doing something to help mothers with unplanned pregnancies, CCS is a great place for you,” she said. “There’s something very special about packing up those layettes, knowing that a new mother and her precious baby will be delighted with the contents.”
A particularly memorable moment for Nan was when she brought a batch of hand-knit baby hats to a board meeting. “Lisa Levy immediately scooped them up to take to the hospital because she had just had a request,” Nan said. “It made me feel so good to be of service.”
Nan’s love for layette assemblies reflects her hands-on approach to service. “Teamwork is the key to success,” she said. “It’s amazing how we put our heads together and make wonderful things happen.” She hopes the Christ Child Society continues its steady path of service. “I don’t think we need lofty goals,” Nan said. “We’re doing small things with great love — just as we are.”
Nan is excited about the upcoming play, having missed the first two performances. Playcrafters Barn Theatre will be putting on the play Miss Nelson is Missing on June 26, 2025, at 7:30 pm. The cost will be $25 for adults and $18 for children ages 17 and under. This is a CCS fundraiser; tickets may be purchased by scanning the QR Code or sending a check payable to CCS of QC, PO Box 6184, Rock Island, IL 61201 by June 23.
She also hopes more people will learn about CCS’s involvement with the Genesis Bereavement Suite. “It totally demonstrates how we honor every little life,” she said. Nan describes the Christ Child Society in three simple but powerful words: Love. Determination. Generosity.
Outside of her volunteer work, Nan enjoys a quiet life at home. “In retirement, I’ve become the housewife I always thought I could be,” she said. “I love to bake, cook, knit, sew — all that domestic stuff.” A voracious reader, Nan also enjoys crosswords, Sudoku, Word Finds, and, of course, knitting. Nan and her husband, John, belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island.
When asked who inspires her most, Nan quickly named Mary Anne Dockery-Jackson. “She’s like the Energizer Bunny,” Nan said with admiration. “I admire her total dedication to CCS.”
With her steady hand, thoughtful words, and quiet strength, Nan Bruckman embodies the heart of the Christ Child Society mission — making a difference one thoughtful gesture at a time.