National Christ Child Society names Tucsonan as Board President at National Convention in Tucson

By Carissa Krautscheid

One heartfelt gift to a child in need blossomed into the second oldest Catholic charity in the United States. The National Christ Child Society (NCCS) was founded by a young woman who devoted her life to serving children in need, even during her own paralysis and other challenges. Mary Virginia Merrick was “fueled by her vision of seeing the Christ Child in every child — and treating each child accordingly” (NCCS).

Named Servant of God in 2003, Mary Virginia Merrick said, “When I read ‘She wrapped him in swaddling clothes,’ I longed to do the same, and Christ Himself taught me that I might still do so in the person of His poor, and a great desire was born within me to go out and find the poor that I might find Him.”

Over the past 135 years, this vision has grown to 45 chapters across the Nation, including 5,600 volunteers who contribute 400,000 hours of service to more than 75,000 children and their families annually. Chapters in cold climates often host coat drives for kids, and many chapters encourage literacy through reading programs in school, collecting books, or tutoring. While each chapter can direct their efforts towards a variety of needs, they all develop layette baby bundles with essentials for newborns.

The Tucson chapter has been making a difference in the lives of local children for the past 51 years. Currently with 36 members in the local chapter, recent projects include:

• Hosting a Christmas party for the preschool students at Pio Decimo
• Making bags for children in foster care
• Raising money for Santa Catalina Parish for snack packs to fill the refrigerator for the hungry children
• Funding a new reading and comprehension program and a nutritious snack initiative at San Xavier Mission School
• Facilitating the donation of a Book Vending Machine to Santa Cruz Catholic School

Each year, the National Christ Child Society gathers for their National Convention. This year, the convention was hosted in Tucson! Coincidentally, the newly installed Board President of the National Christ Child Society is from Tucson. Angela Schneider has served in Tucson since 2012 and was the local president for four years.

“I love the mission and what I do for others through Christ,” said Angela. “We’re serving – that's the bottom line. It’s a God thing. Every time I turn around, God is working – working through us to provide for these families.”

Angela also helped to launch the newest chapter in O’ahu, Hawaii, after she met some Hawaiian students attending the University of Arizona. “It was so exciting to see a young couple helping those in need,” said Angela. “They want to mentor kids about careers and encourage them to do something, which is better than nothing.”

Angela brainstorms ways that the Tucson chapter can continue serving the children of our Diocese throughout changing times. She also hopes the Christ Child Society can be a resource to parishes as they establish their new Walking with Moms in Need programs. “In order to keep this going another 50+ years, we need to adjust,” she said. “We’re willing to work with anyone in the capacity that they’re willing to volunteer.”

If this mission sounds interesting and inspiring to you, you are encouraged to learn more:

[email protected]
585-309-9064
www.christchildtucson.org