One woman, one child, one red wagon, inspire Christ Child Society of Naples




Volunteers Sharon Prentice-Todd and Patricia Limbach organize the layettes for newborn children in need. Each layette includes a book on child care published in English, Creole and Spanish, plus diapers, swaddles, clothing and hand-knitted blankets.

Volunteers Sharon Prentice-Todd and Patricia Limbach organize the layettes for newborn children in need. Each layette includes a book on child care published in English, Creole and Spanish, plus diapers, swaddles, clothing and hand-knitted blankets.

The 226-plus dedicated members of the Christ Child Society of Naples began knitting layettes for newborn infants and providing them to birthing centers for needy families 20 years ago. Layettes remain the primary initiative for the 46 chapters of the National Christ Child Society, a non-denominational, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the unmet needs of children in the community.

“We’ve assembled over 650 newborn layettes for immediate newborn baby needs such as wraps, bibs, onesies and a baby care book in English, Spanish and Creole,” said Kathy Clark, president, Christ Child Society of Naples. Members gather to knit, purchase items, and assemble the layettes.

Christ Child Society of Naples has expanded its initiatives by addressing some education needs for children from birth to college age, including literacy and most recently, scholar­ships for college and technical education.

Over 40 members tutor at Fun Time Academy and Golden Gate Elementary. Recently, a tutor spoke with a little boy about television and movie characters loved by children and discovered the youngster had no knowledge of pop culture understood by most children his age.

Christ Child Society of Naples volunteer Mary Polizzotto reads with preschoolers at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy.

Christ Child Society of Naples volunteer Mary Polizzotto reads with preschoolers at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy.

The society realized that some children there were missing experiences and characters such as those from the movie “Frozen,” said Clark. When the children went into public schools, the deficit separated them from their peers.

Recently, the Christ Child Society sponsored its first buffet and family movie night at Fun Time Academy which featured “Frozen.”

“We planned originally for three movie nights a year but with the success of 80 families in attendance at the first one, we may schedule them more often,” said Clark.

Tutors also assist children in learning colors and reading comprehen­sion, connecting reading to activities like gardening at Fun Time Academy.

The group purchased 20 iPads and related technology for Golden Gate Elementary, where the items will travel by cart to classrooms. At Grace Place, volunteers provide music learning experiences to 28 preschool children. “Music contributes to learning and literacy,” said Clark.

“Working with these children, we realized that many didn’t have books at home,” said Clark.

The Christ Child Society of Naples partnered with Collier County Habitat for Humanity and now every new East Trail Habitat home receives a bookshelf with 16 family books from non-fiction to children’s story books, assembled by members.

Taking a page from the newborn layette mission, the group also furnishes beds and linens for children moving into a new Habitat home. “We even try to provide the character sheets desired by that child,” adds Clark. “Unicorns are big.”

To celebrate serving the community for 20 years, a blue ribbon com­mittee chaired by Kathleen Flynn Fox, former president, surveyed the community and researched other unmet needs. Children they helped in their younger years were now college age but had inadequate financial resources. A new Christ Child Habitat Scholars Fund provides up to $5,000 a year for eligible students.

“This signature initiative fund is growing and at present can fund four years at a college or technical program for 30 students,” said Fox. “By next year, 20 students from freshmen to seniors will be receiving scholarships. We felt this was the greatest new impact we could make as an organization that affects the student, the family and the community.”

The Community Foundation of Collier County holds the scholar­ship funds and administers the eligibility requirements and the payments. “They are a great partner and experts in special fund manage­ment,” said Fox, who provides oversight for her organization. “This is the most wonderful work I have ever done,” she added.

Every two years, the Christ Child Society of Naples has a Red Wagon Gala fundraiser. The red wagon theme represents one woman, one child, one red wagon – in memory of a needy child helped in the early years by the National Christ Child Society founder, Mary Virginia Merrick, who asked that child what he wanted for Christmas and he responded, “A red wagon to carry my newspapers.”

Merrick began the Christ Child Society in Washington, D.C. in 1887. In 2011, the cause for her canon­ization as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church was opened.

See christchildnaples.org and view the video to learn more about the non-profit’s initiatives.