The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-04-10
INVALID LEAF S
|. CHRIST CHILD
SOCIETY
Miss Mary v. Herrick Helped
Found and Directs Work OF
Big Organization.

"A cent or dime, or whatever
you please.
For little bare feet that would
otherwise freeze"
This is one Of the many notices
of the Christ Child Society. 324
Indiana avenue, which has devel-
oped from an humble beginning in
this city to be one of the leading
Catholic charitable organizations in
the United States. Many branches
have been established throughout
the country, but the Washington
organization is recognized as the
parent society.
The outstanding figure in the
society is Miss Mary ". Merrick,
who organized the first branch here
some years ago and, although an
invalid for years. has directed the
work of the organization not only
in the District, but In the many
branches that have been established
elsewhere. At, present her condf.
ton is such that attending physi-
clans have placed her head in
straps. but despite this handicap
her good work goes on uninter-
ruptedly. She is president and
founder of the society.
Pioneered I'm Work Here.
The Christ Child Society was the
first charitable institution in the
District to establish free dental
clinic for children and was the pio-
neer in fresh air farm work.
Miss Merrick said that there are
between 1900 and 1900 members Of
society in Washington. but that
many more are needed to provide
funds for the work of caring for the
little charges.
"Our work is largely preventive, =
Miss Merrick said. "It aims to
shield children not only from the
present, but from the future penal
ties of ignorance, inefficiency, pow
erty and spiritual neglect No work
for children is foreign to our pur-
pose, and their needs present an al.
most limit1ess field OF endeavor for
which we need a larger membership
and more means
In addition to relief work the So
ciety is interested in social activities
of the boys of the city, regardless of
color, race or creed. A boys club,
with a embership of 245, has been
organized, and the clubhouse is open
every day and night. Among the
activities of the organization are a
scout troop, four track teams. three
baseball teams, a swimming class
and band OF twenty-four pieces.
Shower baths have been installed at
the clubhouse.
.CO-Operates With Others.
While the activities of the society
are many during the year, the bust
est period Tor the volunteer workers
is at Christmas. Hundreds of chill
dfen are visited at this period of the
year and toys and sweetmeats dis
tributedl
The society co:0perates with other
charitable institutions 20 that their
activities will not conflict. It has
the Endorsement of the Catholic
hierarchy in America.
Following are the officers: Miss
Mary v. Merrick. president: Mrs. j.
Dudley Morgan, first vice president;
Miss Sarah Maher. second vice
president; Mrs. Thornton p. Roland,
treasurer; Miss NJ. Louise Darr.
executive secretary; Miss BorrodelI
Cover, recording secretary, and
Mrs. Lewis Watkins, assistant Sec
rotary.
The board of managers is as
follows:
Mrs. Milton K. Allies, Mrs.
Thornton p. Boland, Mrs. D. j.
Callahan, Mrs. Thomas II. Carter,
Miss NJ. Louise Darr, Miss Cover,
Miss Eleanor Johnson, Miss Adele
May, Miss Alice Riggs, Miss Irene
Sheridan, Miss Louise Sheridan,
Mrs. Henry Simpson, Mrs. n.
Bicksler. Mrs. w. J. Baxter, Mrs.
A. G. Chappell, Mrs. Simon Coli
bart, Mrs. James A. Emery, Mrs.
William J. MCGEE. Miss Florence
Mills, Mrs. p. P. Mullett. Mrs.
Thomas J. Sheridan, Mrs. Daniel
C.. Stapleton. Miss Ella May Sulli.
van. Mrs. Hannis Taylor, Nine.
Daniel Steen, Miss Anna Ready,
Mrs. Charles w. Semmes and Mrs.
David K. Mccarthy.
EoIIalifv-Reed Poet nanNa