The Omaha chapter began when local go-getter, Stella Hamilton (later to be Stella Stapleton), met Mary Virginia Merrick while visiting Washington, DC. 

She returned to Omaha aflame with a commitment to “direct personal service to the needy.” With help from Reverend Mother Mary Hoban, RSCJ, and with the support of Bishop Richard Scannell, she organized a chapter at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. 

The Omaha chapter and other existing chapters were federated into the National Christ Child Society by Miss Merrick.

Stella Hamilton was one of two national vice presidents serving under Mary Virginia Merrick. 

The Christ Child Center of Omaha chapter officially incorporated and formed First Auxiliary Group

The members taught children catechism, sewing, swimming, dancing and they operated child care centers, after-school programs, summer camps and senior citizens’ programs out of facilities in north, south and east Omaha. The volunteers sewed baby clothes and blankets for layettes given to families they served. 

Christ Child Omaha celebrates grand opening of the Eileen Ryan Christ Child Center in Rockbrook Village.

The new Center functions as a hub for all of our activities. It is where we store supplies for our layettes, we assemble layettes, conduct auxiliary and board meetings, and once again, have a physical presence in Omaha that inspires support and participation in our mission. 

For 120 years, generations of Catholic women have passed the torch, carrying on the Christ Child tradition, serving, engaging, and dignifying Omaha’s smallest and neediest.

The Omaha chapter currently focuses on providing baby necessities and car seats for young mothers, offering literacy resources and educational scholarships to empower and change the futures of recipients.