A Plea and an Answered Prayer
It began with a leap of faith.
Eight years ago when a group that had planned to provide Christmas gifts to more than 100 South Bronx families suddenly lost a vital sponsor, they turned to the Ladies of Charity of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York for help. Despite it already being mid-November, the Ladies of Charity stepped forward and agreed to sponsor 25 families.
Since then, the generosity has only grown.
“We immediately reached out to our membership and were thrilled with the generosity of our members,” said Barbara Duffy, the Executive Director of the Ladies of Charity.
“Today we support 40 families in the South Bronx. This year we provided 145 gifts for the children and 40 parent gift cards. Our contact person, Aura Almanzar, Director of Health Home, welcomes us every year as we arrive with these gifts at the Community Center run by ArchCare,” she shared.
“We also provided requested gifts for 48 residents at the Jeanne Jugan Residence in the Bronx and 200 gifts each for residents of Mary Manning Walsh Residence in Manhattan and Providence Rest nursing home in the Bronx” she added.
Thanks to the commitment and compassion of its members, the number of families supported by the Ladies of Charity is expected to continue growing in the years ahead.
Making a Difference
Established in 1902, the Ladies of Charity have spent more than a century serving New Yorkers in need. Their work spans parish and institutional volunteering, creating and donating handmade items, providing essential goods, and nurturing spiritual growth across communities.
The holiday season holds special meaning for the Ladies of Charity, as it brings their mission into especially clear focus.
The Ladies of Charity motto is “Making a Difference.”
“Our mission is to provide practical and spiritual support to those facing life’s challenges, illness, isolation, and unmet immediate needs through member and volunteer efforts and donor generosity,” said Mary K. Teatum, the President of the Ladies of Charity.
“We are keenly aware there will be families in our community who will struggle to provide for their children,” added Barbara. “We also know that for those dealing with a lack of material resources or suffering from loneliness or isolation, the holiday season can be especially difficult. It is our sincere hope that through these gifts, which are all lovingly wrapped by Ladies of Charity members, we let the recipients know they are loved and valued.”
“When I was a rather recent member of the Ladies of Charity, I had the privilege of being seated next to a gentleman who was directly involved with the ‘Santa Project’ as I lovingly refer to it,” said Ingrid Carroll, Chairperson of the Christmas Ministry.
“When it came time for me to speak about the Christmas Ministry, I decided to defer to Fernando Torres, Psychosocial Counselor for ArchCare in the Bronx [who worked at the Community Center],” Ingrid shared. “Who better to explain this than a man who lived his ministry every day. He spoke so eloquently and lovingly of the people and the help they needed. No one could have done it better! I was blessed to have this kind and benevolent soul come into my life. He was — and is — still the reason I feel as committed as I am.”
While Christmas is a powerful moment of giving, the Ladies of Charity recognize that community needs extend well beyond the holidays. Throughout the year, the organization supports families and individuals through its Layette Ministry, which provides diapers, infant clothing, blankets, and other essentials for expectant mothers.
Through the “Gifts of Comfort Ministry” and generosity of our members and supporters, the ministry is able to provide toiletries, personal care items, games, handmade lap robes, and more to nursing home residents — ensuring the spirit of care continues year-round.
“Families in the South Bronx will have a beautiful Christmas with their loved ones, without worrying about preparing a Christmas meal or providing gifts for their children,” said Mary. “And our nursing home residents receive gifts not only at Christmas, but throughout the year through our Gifts of Comfort Ministry.”
Barbara shared a moment that stayed with her and captures the heart of the Ladies of Charity’s mission.
“After relocating from [our prior office building] earlier this year, we are in an office building without a mailroom. We were able to enlist the help of two of the building employees, who are brothers, and agreed to make sure gifts were safely brought into our office. When discussing with one of the brothers, he shared that he and his brother had received gifts as kids from a similar program,” she recounted.
Linda Reilly, the organization’s Treasurer, echoed the impact of the Ladies of Charity’s work. “I have seen, firsthand, how much our gifts to nursing home residents brighten their day,” she said.
Faith and Charity in Action
Faith remains central to the organization’s mission and to the women who carry it forward.
“Our faith teaches us to embrace those less fortunate and to care for them in any way possible,” said Linda, who is a long-time volunteer at Mary Manning Walsh Residence in Manhattan. “For the Ladies of Charity, the layettes for expectant mothers and gifts of comfort that we send to those living in nursing homes throughout the year, is how we try to fulfill that commitment.”
“To witness how excited and appreciative families and residents are when receiving these gifts — and to hear how the Christmas Ministry brings so much happiness every year — makes this work so heartwarming and worthwhile,” Mary said.
From South Bronx families to nursing home residents, the Ladies of Charity’s Christmas Ministry is a living expression of faith in action — carried forward through service, presence, and a shared commitment to making a difference.
To learn more about the Ladies of Charity and their ministries, please visit their website: https://www.ladiesofcharityny.org
