Evening star., 1942-10-04
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

"To meet the needs of the day."
In line with the letter and spirit of
its laws of incorporation, the Christ
Child Society of this city, accord
ing to its founder and president,
Miss Mary v. Merrick, "is ready to
cooperate with the problems of
working mothers in this present
emergency"
Miss Merrick's own humanitarian
service for others, which has caused
the work of the Christ Child So
ciety to be extended to SO other
cities in the United States, has been
repeatedly recognized in the nu-
merous medals, special awards of
merit and decorations betowed on
her by local and national groups.
This organization, dedicated to
child welfare on the basis of human
need without regard to sect or ma
tionality, is now offering the service
of its Settlement House at 608
Massachusetts, avenue NE. for the
day care of the children of working
mothers in its vicinity.
Not Equipped for Babies.
I'VE are not equipped to care for
babies" Miss Merrick said, because
they require special equipment and
supervision. But we are willing
and ready to look out for the needs,
comfort and pleasure of children
from 4 years old to school age and
older. This service will be avail
able from 7:30 am. and last until
the parent or an older child can call
Tor the children. or until $50 pm"
Breakfast will be furnished in
special instances, where this NAV
be necessary, and hot nutritious
lunch will be served to all of the
children. Proper rest periods, milk
between meals and supervised recre-
atlonal and occupational activities
Will also be features OF this six-dav-
a-Week program that is being Of
Tered IN addition to the other activ-
tiles of the society.
The work of the Christ Child
Society,"" Miss Merrick stressed "is
largely constructive and preventive
Through the upbuilding Of youth
at this time, it becomes an integral
part OF our future line of defense
Tor every child will play an i'm
portant part in the worlds re-
building after this war is over, This
IS the challenge we must answer
through the deveponment of our
character building. Our constructive
health program for convalescent
children and vacationing and
camp program for the undernour-
lshed is carried forward untirinelv
ny every member of our organiza-
tion.'
65S Dental Patients in Year.
The Christ Child Settlement
House, which also serves as the
administrative headquarters of the
Christ Child Society, claims the
distinction of being the first settle
ment house to be built in this city
with the needs of social service ideals
specifically in mind.
1t is also believed to have been
the first organization headquarters
IN this city to hold free medical
and dental clinics for children. Last
year 653 patients were treated in it's
dental clinic, which represented 356
families. almost $500 clinical visits
were made.
From its layette department, with
out regard to race or color, 407
layettes were distributed to expec-
tant, needy mothers. In these
layettes, were included 8,547 gar
ments, 2,433 of which were made
by members of the society.
It's classes for older girls in cook
ing and home making are we'll at
tended, and are as popular as the
settlements purely recreational and
social activities
It's Merrick Boys Club, named in
honor of Miss Merrick, emphasizes
training for good citizenship through
the ideals of fair play, team work
and respect for the rights of others.
These qualities are fostered through
it's sports, crafts and help your
neighbor" programs.
The Christ Child Fresh Air Farm
for Convalescent Children Is situated
on woody elevation on the Norbeck
nike 1 miles from WASHINGTON Ad