Evening star., 1935-06-30
CHRIST CHILD UNIT
A|DS979CH|LDREN
Idea of Invalid Woman
Grows to Great Agency
for Poor.

A bed-ridden woman 40 years ago
conceived an idea which today, in
Washington, provides medical and
dental care, convalescent facilities,
camping trips and play and education
for thousands Of boys and girls from
poverty stricken homes.
Miss Mary Merrick, an invalid since
she fell from a window when she was
II. planned and developed the Christ
Child Society, which now has spread
its work to dozens of cities throughout
the United States.
She began by making a layette for
a poor neighbor. The layette work
broadened. Soon she, with her friends,
planned a Christmas gift campaign
for poor children.
The dynamic, blpe-eyed invalid soon
aroused many women with whom she
came in contact to join her in the
work. A headquarters was first estab-
lished in Georgetown, then in Admiral
Fighting Bob" Evans house on Indi-
ana avenue.
Now the Christ Child Society has
large building at 608 Massachusetts
avenue northeast, which in the Fail
will be augmented by a gymnasium.
1t has a convalescent home at Rock
vile, and runs Summer camp Tor
colored children in Rockville.
Dental Clinic.
Last year 979 children attended the
settlement on Massachusetts, avenue
where they played games. learned
manual arts. were taught sewing, mad
dances and in other ways were guided
toward better citizenship in their
leisure times
The dental clinic served GIT child
rem. Christmas gifts numbered 1921.
The society distributed l89 layettes'
layettes so complete that one mother
sent hers back with a protest she did
not have twins"
At the head of the settlement work
Is Miss Mary Ready. Helping her are
ITO volunteers, who serve as teach
ers, dressmakers, club leaders, enter
tainers. chaperons. Scout leaders
home visitors, clerical workers, clinic
assistants and for sewing infants
clothing.
The society is supported by the
Community Chest and sales made by
the Opportunity Shop, similar to the
Thrift Shop, and individual dona-
tons
It is governed by board Of drec-
tors composed of 80 members OF the
society who direct the work under
taken and control the policies of the
organization and are responsible 1or
its business management.
Members of Board.
Every committee is composed oi
members who volunteer their services
three hours a week. The womer
on the board are:
Mrs. Frederick Altemus, Miss Mary
z. Barney, Mrs. Robert Cahill, Mrs
D. j. Callahan, Mrs. A. J. Chappell
Mrs. Aubrey Clarke, Mrs. James A
Emery, Mrs. William C. Eustis, Mrs
John Foote, Mrs. James j. Calvin
Mrs. Borredell Cover, Mrs. George E
Hamilton, Mrs. James H. Hanley.
Mrs. J. G. Haskell, Miss Mary M
Herman, Miss Katherine Keane, Mis-;
Sarah Maher, Mrs. Cam0en McAtee
Mrs. William j. MCGEE, Miss Mary
v. Marrick, Miss Mildred. c. Merrick
Mrs. James Dudley Morgan, Mrs
Arthur F. Mullen, Mrs. Charles P
Neill, DR.. Margaret M. Nicholson, Mrs
John J. Noonan.
Mrs. Virginia OHare, Mrs. Louis
r. Peake, Mrs. Sarah Pepper. Miss
Agnes Riley, Miss Florence Roach
Mrs. B. F. Saul. Mrs. Charles w
Semmes. Miss Rose Shea, Mrs. Thomas
j. Sheridan, Mrs. D. C. Stapleton, Mrs
Joseph Tunulty, Mrs. Lewis Watkins
Mrs. George Y Worthington.
This is the sixth of series OF
articles on privately financed socia
service endeavor in the District OF
Columbia Another will appear here
next week.