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In June 2005, Carol Engel, a board member of the National Christ Child Society, and women from the South Bend Chapter of the Christ Child Society were invited by Bishop Daniel Jenky to meet with women from the Peoria Diocesan Women’s Commission so that the good works of the Christ Child Society which the bishop had witnessed in South Bend might be extended to his diocese in West Central Illinois. Mary Anne Dockery-Jackson was drawn to attend the meeting based on an article in the Catholic Post featuring pictures of baby clothes made by the women of the South Bend Chapter. After prayerful discernment, Mary Anne was inspired to begin a new chapter of the Christ Child Society in the Quad Cities.
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The first meeting to form the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities took place on September 6, 2005, with twelve women attending and agreeing to work together to form a chapter. On September 26, 2005, Bishop Jenky issued a letter of support to the National Christ Child Society granting permission for a chapter to be formed in the Quad Cities as an entity under the Catholic Diocese of Peoria. The Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities received its charter at the convention in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 18, 2008. On July 13, 2011, the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities was incorporated in the State of Illinois as a public charity under the leadership of then President, Pamela Swim.
From the beginning, the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities has partnered with area agencies to provide basic clothing and infant care items to newborns and children in need. Recently, car seats have been provided to clients of a local agency who complete a series of childbirth classes. Prior to COVID restrictions, CCS-QC partnered with Head Start programs in Rock Island to provide classroom volunteers, support for special events and gifts of books to children attending special events. Although this work has been interrupted, other works have continued.
Funds to support the work of the Christ Child Society have been raised from a variety of sources. The first fundraising event was a Shower of Love on January 22, 2006. Seventy-five guests enjoyed a luncheon, fellowship and fun. Other friends dropped off gifts. The gifts were used to create layettes donated to Women’s Choice Center, a pro-life pregnancy agency in Bettendorf, Iowa. For many years, baby bottle drives have provided generous support. Baby bottles handed out at participating parishes are made available to donors to fill with spare change, dollar bills or checks. In recent years, grants, vendor fairs and individual contributions have provided additional funds. Spread a Little Sunshine is a new fundraiser initiated during the cloudy days of COVID. Donors can select a project to support as a gift to bring joy to others.
As a Catholic lay organization, the Catholic identity and spiritual needs of membership have been a priority. Monthly masses have been offered for members, living, and deceased. The first annual retreat was held at Sacred Heart parish in Moline, IL, on March 18, 2006. Throughout the years, Deacons Joe Dockery-Jackson, Matthew Levy, and Patrick Murphy have contributed to the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities as retreat leaders, board members and spiritual advisors.
The Quad Cities Chapter of the Christ Child Society continues to evolve and change in response to community needs. What has not changed is the desire to love the Christ Child through dedicated service to children in need of resources regardless of race or creed.
From the beginning, the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities has partnered with area agencies to provide basic clothing and infant care items to newborns and children in need. Recently, car seats have been provided to clients of a local agency who complete a series of childbirth classes. Prior to COVID restrictions, CCS-QC partnered with Head Start programs in Rock Island to provide classroom volunteers, support for special events and gifts of books to children attending special events. Although this work has been interrupted, other works have continued.
Funds to support the work of the Christ Child Society have been raised from a variety of sources. The first fundraising event was a Shower of Love on January 22, 2006. Seventy-five guests enjoyed a luncheon, fellowship and fun. Other friends dropped off gifts. The gifts were used to create layettes donated to Women’s Choice Center, a pro-life pregnancy agency in Bettendorf, Iowa. For many years, baby bottle drives have provided generous support. Baby bottles handed out at participating parishes are made available to donors to fill with spare change, dollar bills or checks. In recent years, grants, vendor fairs and individual contributions have provided additional funds. Spread a Little Sunshine is a new fundraiser initiated during the cloudy days of COVID. Donors can select a project to support as a gift to bring joy to others.
As a Catholic lay organization, the Catholic identity and spiritual needs of membership have been a priority. Monthly masses have been offered for members, living, and deceased. The first annual retreat was held at Sacred Heart parish in Moline, IL, on March 18, 2006. Throughout the years, Deacons Joe Dockery-Jackson, Matthew Levy, and Patrick Murphy have contributed to the Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities as retreat leaders, board members and spiritual advisors.
The Quad Cities Chapter of the Christ Child Society continues to evolve and change in response to community needs. What has not changed is the desire to love the Christ Child through dedicated service to children in need of resources regardless of race or creed.
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Christ Child Society of the Quad Cities PO Box 6184 Rock Island, IL 61204 EMAIL: christchildsocietyqca@gmail.com CCS-QC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 and all donation are tax exempt. |