The 69th annual charity event of the Christ Child Society of Cleveland is adopting a new format this year in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Starlight Soiree will be a virtual event, broadcast on Nov. 13 from the Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Brendan Gulick, the voice of BuckeyesNow.com, and Betsy Kling, WKYC TV chief meteorologist, will host the broadcast. The event will feature a variety of unique auction items, including a trip to Myrtle Beach. Marlen Jewelers donated a winner’s choice of an 18-karat white or rose gold diamond bangle or a 14-karat white gold straight line tennis bracelet for the annual jewelry raffle. A $5,000 cash raffle also is planned.
Each year, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland honors a person or persons for their service and support. Karen and John Kirk will be honored as the 2020 Persons of the Year. The Kirks’ generosity has allowed the Christ Child Society meet the material, educational and emotional needs of the community’s impoverished children.
Now in its 104th year, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland is committed to the well-being of children. The organization began by providing needy infants with a layette bundle containing clothing and other necessities for newborn babies. More than 100 years later, volunteers are still creating these layette bundles. They distributed more than 1,700 last year. The group also provides school uniforms, winter coats, “My Stuff” bags, twin beds and portable cribs. They also staff and fund two elementary school libraries and two preschool literacy programs. With a goal of striving to give children hope for the future, the Christ Child Society of Cleveland served more than 8,000 children last year.
The organization said it is challenging to meet the increased needs of these children as they now struggle even more during the pandemic. Approximately 400 volunteers joined the Cleveland chapter and are committed to the mission of challenging childhood poverty in Greater Cleveland.
Founded by Mary Virginia Merrick in 1887, the national Christ Child Society – and each of its 44 chapters – are moved to action by Merrick’s words: “Nothing is ever too much to do for a child."
Register at christchildsocietycleveland.org to attend the auction, to purchase raffle tickets or donate to the organization’s projects.