340 woman gather to raise money for babies in need

WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio - Hundreds of women gathered at the St. Noel Party Center in Willoughby Hills to enjoy lunch and to raise money for the many programs the Geauga County Chapter of the Christ Child Society provides to the community.

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes are donated every year by local businesses for the Chinese raffle and while the room was filled with the laughter and joy that comes with winning the prizes and meeting new people, the women were reminded of the purpose which brought them there.

The luncheon provides the organization with half its funding for their projects.  Their biggest project is to supply layettes for mothers and babies at Geauga Community Hospital, Middlefield Birthing Center, and Birthright.  Sometimes the layette is the only gift the women receive.

This was the 20th annual event, and the 10th for mistress of ceremonies, NewsChannel 5 Health Reporter Alicia Booth.

The pictures you see in the slide show were taken by the participants with their own cameras.