From Your President
Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan Summer 2015
“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child.” Mary Virginia Merrick,
National Christ Child Society Founder, 1887
Diaper Pantry 1st and
3rd Friday of each month
at Manna 9:00-11:30;
Beth Cooper
JULY
16 - Spiritual Committee
meeting, 10:00 a.m.
Connie Grzanka
16 - BASH Planning
Committee, 10:00 a.m.,
Bay Harbor
17-Spirit Day Camp (see
description inside)
25 - Red Wagon
Assembly, Bay Harbor
26 - BASH, 5:00 - 8:00
p.m., Lange Center, Bay
Harbor Yacht Club
29 - Camp Quality
Backpack Assembly,
10:30 a.m.,
Alyson Halvarson
AUGUST
24 - Shower of Love,
9:00-11:00 a.m.,
Hellene Glaser
31- Board Meeting,
1:00 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
10 -Fall Luncheon,
location pending
OCTOBER
Layette Assembly
Thurs. 29 & Fri. 30
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Linda B. Henry
Inside
Chapter Business
The Spiritual Journey
BASH 2015
Tributes and Memorials
Upcoming Events
THE SILENT AUCTION COMMITTEE
is still looking for
interesting items for the
2015 BASH Auction. If you have an article to
donate, contact
Mary Anne Newman
231-582-7364
I’m pleased to have been your president now
for the last 6 months. In the Spring Newsletter
I highlighted the last two years of our accom-
plishments. I would now like to summarize
our activities since then.
Chapter members invited guests to our June
luncheon resulting in 5 new Provisionals and 1
member joining us from another chapter.
A Strategic Planning Meeting for
Board Members was held in May
with SCORE facilitators. The
focus of this meeting was mem-
bership retention/recruitment and
revenue streams.
There are many different ways
we are communicating with our
chapter members: the newsletter, E-Blasts,
Calendar of Events (provided at the luncheon
in hard copy and on our website that is updated
regularly), Board Meeting highlights (provided
to the members shortly after our meeting) and
our CCSNM website.
Our annual fundraiser, BASH, with the theme,
“ Jazz up the Night,” has received more
sponsorships than previous years. A big thank
you to the BASH committee.
Our Chapter became a sponsor for the June 4,
Petoskey Chamber of Commerce “Business
After Hours.” This provided our chapter an
opportunity to introduce ourselves to many
local businesses in attendance. Debbie Dicken,
Community Relations Director, prepared a
short presentation about who we are and what
we do for infants and children in Northern
Michigan. Kim Jones, 1st VP, creat-
ed a tri-fold poster with pictures and
information about our chapter. The
response was positive and we will
be looking at other opportunities to
make our chapter more visible in the
community.
The board approved supporting
Spirit Day Camp, led by George
Armstrong and Challenge Mountain,
for special needs students to experience a day
trip to Mackinac Island. This year’s t-shirts
will have the Christ Child logo on them.
The board approved a special needs student to
attend Bay Cliff Health Camp for several
weeks in the Upper Peninsula.
A Wolverine music student is attending The
Young Americans Camp through our support.
I cannot thank you enough for the time you
dedicate to Christ Child Society as volunteers.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” Dalai Lama
BASH 2015
Our BASH website is the vehi-
cle to keep you informed with
the latest news. Access to the
BASH website is through
www.christchildsocietynorthern
michigan.com.
Click BASH July 26, 2015 at
the top of the page. Then click
the BASH Jazz Up the Night
logo to go to the official BASH
website. Here you will find our
BASH sponsors, committee
chairs and team members. This
is also your opportunity to pur-
chase tickets, become a BASH
sponsor, make a donation to the
auctions, purchase layettes, or
make a cash donation.
Creating a check-out process
that is smooth and efficient for
our members and guests is the
finance team’s first priority, so
we are offering VIP service
again this year (last year more
than half our guests used this
option). Please check the box I
authorize Christ Child Society
of Northern Michigan, Inc. to
use the credit card entered on
the submission page at event
BASH 2015 when purchasing
tickets and you will avoid the
check-out lines at the end of the
evening. You can be assured
your credit card information is
safe, secure and encrypted with
ENTRUST. If you wish to use
a credit card, but not the web-
site, treasurer Deb Nachtrab will
be happy to assist and help you
complete your transaction. Deb
can be reached at
231-439-5596.
The BASH committee is
excited to announce that Bill
Collins will be our auctioneer
this year. From charity events
to estate and liquidation sales,
Bill has experience in all
auctioneering needs. He brings
the enthusiasm and involvement needed in order to
keep the audience intrigued and excited.
Bill is a retired auto executive and a graduate of the
Missouri Auction School. Bill enjoys charity work, and
is an active member of the Rotary Club of Petoskey and
the local SCORE chapter.
2015 Red Wagons
TIKI HUT PARTY
Everything you might need to
host a fun island-themed party:
Deb Dicken, Chair
Connie Donovan
Deb Nachtrab
Gail Selvala
SPORTS BUSTERS
Conniee Monasterio
HANDYMAN HELPER
More than just tools, and coor-
dinated by our “handy” Christ
Child husbands:
Dick Gay, Chair
Dave Borchers
Skip Cook
Tom Dansbury
Richard Labadie
Fran Shepard
Berkshire Hathaway
WHAT IN THE WORLD DO
THESE PEOPLE DO ALL
WINTER?
No excuses . . .enjoy our winter
wonderland:
Kathy Thompson, Chair
Ruthe Gerarduzzi
Laura Kors
Virginia Moffatt
Fran Shepard
COMMIT TO BE FIT
Assembled by the “expert”
Christ Child past presidents:
Mindy Mooradian, Chair
Diane Conn
Debbie Dicken
Patti Forman
Kathy Hagerman
Laura Kors
Anne Kroha
FAMILY GAMES:
Entertainment for all ages
provided by our Christ Child
provisionals:
Alyson Halvarson, Chair
Kristin Beauchamp
Ronnie Carpenter
Robin Groszko
Jackie Mitchell
Bridget Waldvogel
New BASH Auctioneer Announced
BASH Website
Page 2
The Spiritual Journey
Christ Child Society Prayer
Remember in this sacrifice of Your own
and only Child,
all children everywhere throughout the world,
and grant that, like Your Son,
as they increase in years,
they may grow in grace and wisdom before
You, and in the sight of all,
for the improvement and saving of the world.
Jesus, the Friend of little children,
bless the little children of the world. Amen
“Do all things for God and do not look for appreciation.” Mary Virginia Merrick
Summer often brings visits from friends and family and
maybe even a grandchild. Connie Grzanka shared the
following prayer reminding us to be thankful for the lit-
tle children just as Jesus reminds us that we must have
the faith of a child in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
A Grandmother’s Prayer
Oh Lord, I do not ask for much,
Eternal beauty, or youth, or such.
Just give me a little hand to hold,
And l’ll forget that I am growing old.
I do not ask for cloudless skies,
A life that’s free from tears and sighs.
Just give me a little face to kiss,
And anxious moments will turn to
bliss.
For what is there, really, that means so much
As little hands that reach and touch,
As little eyes that search and see
Only the best in fragile me?
So let me grow more loving and wise
By looking at life through their wide eyes.
For through these little ones, you have given
This grateful grandmother a glimpse of Heaven.
Author: Barbara Burrows
Christine Kuhn, Spiritual Coordinator
Kuhnj2charter.net
Connie Grzanka, Spiritual Committee
Our Chapter Prayer Gracious and loving God, bless our
service to the children
in our community.
Give us eyes to see the Christ Child in every
child who needs a backpack, a cozy blanket,
a healthy snack, a scholarship to camp,
a tutor at school.
Open our hearts to the suffering of children
and parents who are weighed down by the
burdens of poverty and unemployment.
Help us each and every day to carry out the
words of our founder,
Mary Virginia Merrick,
“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child.”
We pray your blessing upon the
Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan
and the children we serve.
Mark your calendar for our next
Spiritual Reflection to be held on
September 10, 2015, prior to the Fall
luncheon. Last month Fr. Joe Graff
spoke to our members, and
Ruth Rizzo provided meditation
music on the piano. Please join us in
September for another inspirational
morning.
Connie Grzanka is continuing to
build a Spiritual Committee for our
Chapter. If you are able to join us
for a meeting designed to lay the
foundation for this committee, please
contact her either by phone or email:
231-526-7986
Page 3
Spiritual Reflections was held before the luncheon with scripture
message by Father Joseph Graff.
Meeting attendance = 72 members; 10 guests attended the luncheon.
Alyson Halvarson, Provisional Coordinator, introduced
Provisional members: Jackie Mitchell and Bridget Waldvogel;
and new members who received their pins: Kristen Beauchamp,
Ronnie Carpenter, Robin Groszko, and Gloria Hoffman.
Minutes of the Members Annual Meeting and Election December
11, 2014 were approved.
Reports included:
Completed 2014 Financial Statements and the IRS 990 tax form
print copies are available at the CCSNM house - contact Deanna
Klosinski or Deb Nachtrab. As required for public inspection, the
2014 IRS 990 tax form is posted on the CCSNM website – see
drop-down tab “About” and click on Legal Documents.
The 2015 Annual Member Report Highlights: chapter progress,
accomplishments, projects, members and volunteer hours,
children served, financial “pies” of income and expenses, and
the CCSNM scholarship.
Board members participated in a Strategic Planning Meeting,
May 29th, focusing on Membership retention and recruitment,
and revenue streams.
Communications keep members informed: newsletters (next one
July 15th, E-Blasts, calendar of events, Board meeting highlights,
and the CCSNM website.
Membership activities for the luncheon included: mix-it-up
seating (by choice); ice-breaker questions; two cards describing
CCSNM History and Red Wagon symbol on one side and prospective
membership response with expectations on another side; and member-
ship survey cards.
Members are needed: Projects, BASH, chairs and committee
members - contact Linda Henry President.
Handouts: 2015 Calendar of Events (see the CCSNM website);
Directory inserts – first page with CCSNM Motto and Vision and
Mission statements and contact information, pages with names
and contact information for (1) Board of Directors, (2) Project
Chairs; and (3) Coordinators, BASH, Managers, and
Committees; and Welcome to Our Website guide –
BASH Chair Fran Shepard and Co-chair Monica Crawford hyped
this year’s theme, Jazz Up the Night; Red Wagon Chair
Jan Mancuso described the 6 themes and coordinators: Winter
Wonderland – Kathy Thompson; Commit to get Fit – Mindy
Mooradian and past presidents; Family Games – Provisionals;
Tiki-Hut – Debbie Dicken; Handyman Helper – Richard Gay;
Sports Paraphernalia – Connie Monasterio.
Items are needed: Live and Silent Auction.
Carolyn Anderson received a certificate of appreciation for her many
activities.
Appreciations were extended and birthdays were acknowledged for
May, June, July, and August.
Handouts and cards for membership recruitment are available at the
CCSNM house.
2015 BASH Committee (opposite photo)
Front row: Deb Nachtrab, honorary chair; Monica Crawford 2015 co-hair; Mary Anne Newman, Mary Ann Gardella and Cathie Merrit,
silent auction co-chairs. Back row: Connie Donovan, live auction support; Karen McFarland, hospitality; Pam Harris and Char Sproles,
food and beverage co-chairs; Linda Burnham and Deanna Klosinski, finance; Kathy Hagerman, florals and decorations; Kathi Glass, pro-
curement; Diane Giffin, data and publicity.
Not pictured: Julie Bernstein, invitations and auction catalog; Alyson Halvarson, live auction; Joan McCrone, florals and decorations;
Alona Kelly, finance; Diane Holman, graphics; Debbie Dicken, data; Fran Shepard, 2015 BASh chair; Jan Mancuso, Red Wagon chair,
Kristyn Balog, finance and graphics; Linda Henry, Chapter president and publicity
The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ~Eric Hoffer
Highlights from the June 4 Membership Meeting
Page 4
If you have been to the Christ Child House recently,
you’ll see the handiwork of our committee members.
Summer is here and colorful plants are in the ground.
THANKS go to all who have made
this happen.
House Improvements:
Met with Gow Litzenberger about
the ruts in the lawn
Spoke with Mark Miller who
mows the lawn and resolved part
of the issue with the depressions
in the lawn
Begonias were planted as well as
the window box on the garage and
pots in front of the house
Planted the flowers from the June luncheon
Deb Nachtrab’s gardener has graciously donated his
time to spray the yard for weeds.
Thanks to Barb Tally and Randy Hagerman for
coming to plant flowers on the spur of the moment
due to weather concerns.
Thanks to Barb and John Taylor for trimming
the rose bushes and other bushes around the
house.
Thanks to Kathy Schroeder and Kaye Frang
who weeded and added more colorful plants
to our beds, and to Linda Burnham who
rescued our thirsty plants by watering and
weeding.
Our committee will continue to weed and
water as necessary for the rest of the summer.
A wonderful commitment …..
keeping the grounds of our Christ Child
house beautiful.
Kathy Hagerman, House Manager
Committee: Kathy Schroeder, Linda Burnham, Penny
Vokes, Diane Conn, Advisor
Notes from the House/Property Committee
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. ~Amelia Earhart
2015 BASH COMMITTEE
Page 5
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Norman Vincent Peale
Chapter News
Honored at the recent Northern
Michigan Media-
tion appreciation
luncheon, Christ
Child member
Kristyn Balog
received the
Rookie Mediator of the Year, an
award for an outstanding mediator
who has been with the center for
less than two years.
Memorials and Tributes
Tribute to Mr. and Mrs. David Giffin sent by Karen Grifka
Tribute to Kim Jones sent by Edwin Landon
Memory of Kathleen Hannah sent by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clarke
Memory of Dolores Goebel sent by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sproles
Memory of James C. Shepard sent by Monica and Tom Crawford
New Members
Provisional orientation was held at the house on May 4, attended by
Lois Hughes, Kristin Beauchamp, Robin Groszko, Ronnie Carpenter,
and our renewal member, Kathy Schroeder.
At our spring luncheon, we welcomed into full membership Gloria
Hoffman, Kristin Beauchamp, Ronnie Carpenter, and Robin Groszko.
Our newest provisionals are Lois Hughes, Jackie Mitchell, and Bridget
Waldvogel.
Many new people came to our luncheon as guests and have expressed
interest to join CCSNM. Thanks to our membership for helping us
grow! Kim Jones and her membership committee set up mixer table
cards with some fun conversation themes on the tables. Kim also had
cards on the table for guests to fill out which made it easy for our guests
to give us their contact information.
Volunteers from
The
Friendship Center
knitted and
crocheted 41 items
to be used in
Christ Child
layettes.
Reminder
The code for the
house is 023 on
the key pad.
Kristyn Balog Wins Award
Page 6
“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Spring Luncheon
President Linda Henry awards
Carol Anderson with a certificate of
appreciation. Over the years,
“Christmas Carol” has served on
almost every project, from Care
Kits to Blanket Brigade, from
BASH finance committee to
Layettes. Carol is relocating to
North Carolina with husband
Glenn.
President Linda Henry with members moving into active
membership. (l-r) Kristen Beauchamp, Robin Groszko,
Gloria Hoffmann, and Ronnie Carpenter.
Provisional Chairwoman Alyson Halvarson welcomes new
members Jackie Mitchell and Bridget Waldvogel with
President Linda Henry.
Over 20 volunteers met at
the house to stuff, seal,
and stamp 800 BASH
invitations. Diane Conn
graciously provided coffee
and sweets to keep us
energized and greeted
everyone as they arrived.
Thanks to the following
members who made the
job easy and completed in
record time:
Carolyn Benjamin, Cindy
Blasius, Kathie Byrne,
Diane Conn, Monica
Crawford, Connie
Dansbury, Barb
DeAgostino, Debbie
Dicken, Linda Farr,
Margene Fennell, Diane
Giffin, Kathi Glass, Gloria
Hoffmann, Cindy
Hofstetter, Karen
McFarland, Cathie
Merritt, Jackie Mitchell,
Deb Nachtrab, Mary Anne
Newman, Susie Stern, and
Bridget Waldvogel
Thanks for you time and
all you do for our chapter,
we couldn't do it without
you!
Fran and Monica 2015
BASH chairs
BASH Invitation
Mailing
Our chapter has financially supported Spirit Day Camp
(formerly known as the George Armstrong Camp), a day
camp for special needs children, for many years. When
this year’s campers go to Mackinac Island, they will
wear custom designed t-shirts with the Christ Child logo.
Volunteers are needed on Friday, July 17 to serve lunch
from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Petoskey High School cafeteria.
Volunteers are welcome to stay and participate in after-
noon activities. If you can help, please call Mary Anne
Newman at 231-582-7364
Christ Child Society of
Northern Michigan has
received the GuideStar
Exchange Silver level logo,
a leading symbol of transpar-
ency and accountability
provided by GuideStar USA,
Inc., the premier source of
nonprofit information. The
logo demonstrates Christ
Child Society’s deep com-
mitment to nonprofit trans-
parency and accountability.
In order to be awarded the
GuideStar Exchange
logo, Christ Child Society of
Northern Michigan had to
fill out every required field
of our nonprofit report
on www.guidestar.org for the
Silver level of participation.
Spirit Day Help Needed
GuideStar Rating
You can purchase your
BASH tickets directly
by going to
Http://tinyurl.com/ptrbam2
Page 7
Preparations for our BASH 2015 (Building
A Service Heritage) summer fundraiser are
well underway. BASH will be Sunday, July
26, at the beautiful Bay Harbor Yacht Club.
A big thanks to all the chairwomen and their
committees for the work they have already
done. Thank you to all who have donated,
and please keep the items coming. We have
commitments for all six red wagons, and a
well-rounded group of volunteers, both
provisionals and experienced members,
who have stepped up to the plate while
having fun and making new friends. Below
is a list of volunteers who have already
signed up. Please contact Monica Crawford
or the committee chair to get involved in this
wonderful event. This year’s theme is “Jazz
Up the Night.”
Chairman: Fran Shepard
Co-chair: Monica Crawford
Honorary Chair: Deb Nachtrab
Live Auction Chair: Alyson Halvarson
Co-chair: Linda Bade
Red Wagon Chair: Jan Mancuso
Silent Auction Co-chairs: Mary Ann
Gardella and Mary Anne Newman
Publicity Chair: Linda Henry
Finance Chair: Alona Kelly
Committee Chairwomen
Kristyn Balog
Julie Bernstein
Diane Giffin
Debi Goodman
Kathi Glass
Pam Harris
Kathy Hagerman
Diane Holman
Kim Jones
Deanna Klosinski
Joan Mandell
Joan McCrone
Karen McFarland
Ruth Rizzo
Char Sproles
Kathy Thompson
Christ Child Society of
Northern Michigan
P.O. Box 132
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
“Jazz Up the Night”- BASH 2015
“Nothing is ever too much to do for a child.” Mary Virginia Merrick
We’re on the web at
www.christchildsocietynorthernmichigan.com