Volunteer Karen David reads to Steven Pittman, 4, and Marquise Figures, 3, as they wait to receive a set of winter clothes distributed by the Christ Child Society. Chronicle photo by Laurie Stevens.

Toledo spent four Saturdays this fall distributing warm winter clothing to about 800 preschoolers as part of their annual Clothe-a-Child program.

New coats, caps, mittens, underwear and socks, sweatshirts, T-shirts, jeans and other items were given to needy children between the ages of 3 and 5 referred by the Toledo Head Start preschool program. The Christ Child Society has operated the clothing ministry since 1999, when it initiated Clothe-a-Child to meet the needs of poor, underserved children enrolled in Head Start.

The organization spends about $38,000 annually on Clothe-a-Child, according to program co-chairman Judy Halker. Most money comes from a celebrity wait night fundraiser in February and from a letter appeal.

The Christ Child Society is a national organization dedicated to the welfare of children, especially children in need. Members of the Toledo chapter volunteered more than 11,000 hours last year in a variety of programs for children of the community. For more information or to join, contact Kitsie Valiton at 419-882-1312.