In 1884, Mary Virginia Merrick began the Christ Child Society with a gift of baby clothes, handmade by herself, to a mother in need and her baby. This layette is the design the Christ Child Society uses today. Layette bundles include baby care items such as blankets, diapers, clothing, toiletry items and child care information.

Each chapter in the National Christ Child Society has a Layette Program and involves purchasing, packaging, and distribution of layettes to mothers of infants. Our Chapter works with the Akron hospitals and area agencies in providing this wonderful gift for mothers and their babies.

Our members help to purchase the items for the layettes, package, bundle and distribute them to newborns through social service agencies and hospitals in Summit County. Christ Child Society members sew blankets for layettes as well. The layette is the first step into the “Challenging Poverty One Child at a Time” initiative for the child, family and community.

In the 2018-2019 service year, the Akron Christ Child Society packed and delivered 303 layettes to 23 area agencies. Members sewed 442 receiving blankets and 141 burp cloths.