The Christ Child Society of Cleveland expanded its offerings to meet the growing needs of children in Greater Cleveland by undertaking a Beds 4 Kids program recently.
The initiative was organized by Cathy Lawler Caruso, Janie Nickodem and Carol Janas with support from the Cleveland Police Third District headquarters. Volunteers distributed 50 portable beds to 30 families.
Each recipient got a new, two-piece platform bed, futon mattress, mattress protector, sheet set, pillow, quilt, children’s books and smoke detector batteries from the Cleveland Fire Department.
(See photo gallery above.)
“It was exciting watching this event unfold and seeing social workers and parents come to pick up the beds with all the fixings, books from the Kids Book Bank and the smoke alarm batteries,” said Paula Dzurik Conrad, Christ Child Society of Cleveland president. “Kids need sleep for success,” she added.
The Christ Child Society set up a distribution site at the CPD Community Center on Chester Avenue in Cleveland. Caruso said the new distribution system empowered parents and guardians to pick up their children’s’ beds and to set them up themselves. She said the moms, dads, children and grandmothers who benefited from the program were very grateful.
Caruso thanked the CPD Third District for their support and the volunteers who helped with the distribution.
“The idea is to ensure a safe sleep for as many children as we can reach,” she added.
The Christ Child Society of Cleveland, founded in 1916, was the fifth chapter founded within the national Christ Child Society, established in 1887 in Washington, D.C. by Mary Virginia Merrick. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children in need. There are more than 6,000 members in 50 chapters across 20 states.
Last year, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland worked with more than 80 social service agencies, health care facilities and schools in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties touching the lives of nearly 7,000 children and families through nine programs. Support from donors and more than 12,000 volunteers hours provided by Christ Child Society members made the efforts a reality.
The nonprofit will have its fundraising Starlight Soiree on Nov. 4. Persons of the Year Julie and Rich Jerdonek, members of St. Basil the Great and St. Wendelin parishes in Brecksville and Cleveland, respectively, will be honored. Click here for more information on the Soiree.
Members of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland Executive Board are Conrad; Kathy Michael, president elect; Sharon Skotko, service vice president; Sharon Seaton, organization vice president; Sheila Gulick, financial secretary; Irene Bellomo, recording secretary; Cathy Harbinak, corresponding secretary; and Mary Herrick, immediate past president.
For more information about the Christ Child Society of Cleveland, click here.
