Christ Child Society “The Starlight Ball”

The Christ Child Society of Cleveland hosted its 67th annual charity event, “The Starlight Ball,” in the Hope Ballroom of the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

More than 250 guests attended the silent auction and dinner, emceed by WKYC Meteorologist Betsy Kling. Bishop Roger Gries offered the blessing before the meal. Newly elected Christ Child Society Cleveland Chapter President Catherine Caruso introduced the 2018 Person of the Year, Alan Silverman.

Mr. Silverman has served children in need since 1972 when he opened Silverman’s Discount Department Stores and sponsored community projects and causes. In 1990, he started Uniforms for Kids to help disadvantaged children obtain school uniforms. Since 2006, he has partnered with the Christ Child Society of Cleveland to provide uniforms, socks and underwear to an additional 14,000 students. Mr. Silverman has received many awards, including Four-Star General in the Cleveland Metropolitan School’s Army of Believers and was this year’s Shoes and Clothes for Kids’ Volunteer of the Year. The Cleveland chapter of the Christ Child Society was organized by Mabel Higgins Mattingly in 1916. A non-profit organization, the society provides layettes to infants and clothing, beds and cribs to children in need and offers reading enrichment programs. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN