More than 300 people attended the annual Starlight Soiree for the Christ Child Society of Cleveland on Nov. 2 at the Cleveland History Center at University Circle. Guest mingled between the classic cars and flying machines in an effort to raise $125,000 to support the charitable work of the Christ Child Society, an organization founded in 1887 that focuses on serving children in need.
Sam and Anne-Marie Petros, longtime supporters of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland, were honored by the society as their Persons of the Year. Petros is the CEO of Petros Homes, Petros Development Co. and one of the two partners in One University Circle.
In his invocation, Bishop Nelson Perez of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland asked attendees to recall the face of a child known to them and to reflect on the myriad needs of children in our community today.
The evening featured delicious food, live music, a silent and live auction and a call from the heart to raise funds for the organization. Attendees also were treated to rides on an antique carousel rescued by the Cleveland History Center from the historic Euclid Beach Park.
For more than a century, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland has worked to meet the growing needs of children in Greater Cleveland. The organization serves thousands of children annually. Its nine programs are made possible through the financial support of donors and the volunteer support of its members.
The Christ Child Society works directly with more than 80 social service agencies, health care facilities, and schools to identify under-resourced, in-crisis, and at-risk children who would benefit from the organization’s services.
During the last year, the Christ Child Society helped 8,397 children -- an increase of 1,500 children from the previous year. In addition, they helped fund:
- 356 libraries and reading enrichment programs
- 1,698 "My Stuff" Bags for children in shelters
- 2,000 school uniform sets
- 1,849 layettes
- 2,075 winter coats with hats and mittens/gloves
- 165 twin beds
- 161 portable cribs
- 90 Head Start and Grandmother Program
The Starlight Soiree fundraiser covers the majority of the service project expenses for the Christ Child Society of Cleveland.
The Christ Child Society, founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C. by Mary Virginia Merrick, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children in need. For more than 130 years, the 6,000 members in nearly 50 chapters across 20 states have been driven by faith, love and a desire to change the future for these deserving children.
Click HERE for more information on the Christ Child Society of Cleveland.