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The Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW) held its annual layette on October 17th at St. Sebastian Church in Middletown Connecticut. The NDCCW has organized and held this layette for over 40 years in parishes throughout the diocese, due to the pandemic, this particular year was unlike any other. This year the President of the NDCCW, Connie Gillies, made it possible to hold a drive-through event, even with state restrictions on gatherings and social distancing. Women from the Council along with Father Brian Maxwell, Outreach Coordinator, a new addition to the Catholic Charities Diocese of Norwich team, and the caseworkers from all four Catholic Charities locations attended the event and assisted with the collection and distribution of these precious gifts. 

The NDCCW hosts this event to benefit expectant mothers in need throughout New London, Middlesex, Tolland and Windham counties.  As the needs of the people in our community have exponentially grown this year during this critical time of business closures, unemployment and social distancing, the NDCCW has provided much needed baby items to mothers and expectant mothers who are struggling to afford even the most basic of items in life. These donations help ease the worries from families as they navigate daily life. 

The layette team collected baby items from parish representatives and other donors within the Diocese, who dropped off a variety of baby items ranging from clothes for premature babies all the way to age four, beautiful handmade blankets and knitted beanies, as well as much needed diapers and wipes. 

As Catholic Charities is celebrating our 99 years of Providing Help and Creating Hope to those most in need within our diocese, we are blessed to partner with the Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.  We thank them for their ongoing prayers and  tireless support!

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By Shannen Barnard