Women's Auxiliary
Annual Activities and Projects
General Membership Meetings
The Women's Auxiliary hosts a fall and a spring general membership meeting for its members to learn about pediatric health issues and to conduct business. In addition, the Women's Auxiliary members implement projects and events throughout the year. The year culminates with the Spring General Membership meeting and brunch where the Auxiliary presents its annual gifts to the hospital, and the incoming Board of Directors is recognized. Please see Calendar of Events.
Deck the Hospital for the Holidays
Among the group's traditions is the annual decorating of holiday wreaths and trees to dress the common spaces and halls of the hospital. These festive wreaths and trees bring holiday cheer to patients and visitors. Records of the Auxiliary helping decorate Children's during the holiday season date back to 1962. Auxiliary members, families and community organizations enjoy supporting this meaningful project each year. Typically, the Auxiliary provides more than 100 trees and wreaths to the hospital. In the Legacy chapter's first year of decking the halls, 16 48-inch wreaths were donated and decorated. For more information, please contact Michele Cassidy, Sherri Rejebian or Claire Rich (Dallas Chapter) or Tiffany Diaz (Legacy Chapter).
New Year's Eve Dinner and Mother's Day Weekend Dinner for Patient Families
On December 31 as well as the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, the Women's Auxiliary hosts a dinner at the hospital for families whose children are patients in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's. A nourishing and delicious meal, the warmth of a smile and encouraging words from the group's members bring the gift of comfort to moms and dads, brothers or sisters who spend long hours in the family waiting room. Typically more than 100 people are served at each of these dinners. The Legacy chapter will be hosting a holiday meal in November, as well as a Mother's Day Lunch in May. For more information, please contact Leigh Chandler or Kristie Serio (New Year's Eve, Dallas Chapter) and Paige Slates or Tricia Touchstone (Mother's Day, Dallas Chapter) or Valerie Biggerstaff (November Holiday and Mother's Day, Legacy Chapter).
Hospital Staff Appreciation and Patient Support
The Women's Auxiliary has been supporting the hospital staff since its inception in 1962. Throughout the year, teams of Auxiliary volunteers express appreciation to medical staff, personnel and employees for their commitment to Children's Medical Center, their patients and families. Whether it's through a warm breakfast, a special lunch, or a delivered basket of treats, the Auxiliary makes it a point to thank those that make life better for children.
Food Baskets for Cancer Patients (Dallas Chapter)
Appointments for patients in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders can last anywhere from one hour to several hours each time they visit. Since the families are confined to the hospital for long stretches of time, the Women's Auxiliary helps provide nutritious food baskets containing granola bars, water and even oatmeal packets that are always greatly appreciated.
Nancy Johnson, a Children's volunteer, encourages creativity as she leads an arts and crafts session with Billy Fielder, 5, and Madalyn White, 8, in the C10 playroom. In 2009, volunteers contributed more than 133,000 hours to make life better for children.
