Hospital's auxiliary celebrating 70th anniversary

[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-12-at-10.43.47-AM.png” credit=”Courtesy Miller Children’s” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”Current members of the Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Auxiliary” captionposition=”right”] In 1946, before Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach was built, children did not have a place in the hospital and were often placed in beds in the Seaside Memorial Hospital hallways. Three Long Beach women— Jimmie Carrey, Isabel Eusden and Julia Witz— wanted to change how the hospital cared for children and founded the Children’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, now known as Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Auxiliary. The “ladies in the red aprons” are celebrating 70 years of dedication to Miller Children’s this year.
Miller Children’s Auxiliary is a fundraising group that volunteers and organizes fundraising activities and events to help support Miller Children’s. Working by its motto “Have a Heart and Help a Child,” the auxiliary raises funds by hosting an annual designer fashion show and two annual shopping fairs, as well as running the hospital’s gift shop.
Over the years, the auxiliary has donated more than $15 million to Miller Children’s. Some of the most recent projects that the auxiliary has helped fund include the Pediatric Surgical Center, General Pediatrics Playroom, Hematology and Oncology Playroom and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Center.
“Our motto ‘Have a Heart and Help a Child’ is reflected in the service of our warm and caring members who volunteer their time and their talents to this organization,” says Glenda Wycoff, president, Miller Children’s Auxiliary. “Over the years, our fundraising efforts have benefited thousands of children who have sought medical treatment at the hospital.”
In addition to the annual fundraisers and the gift shop, the auxiliary continues to expand its horizons with the Children’s Endowment Trust Fund. Interest from the trust fund provides for continuing health care of underprivileged children to give them an opportunity for a healthy and happy life. The auxiliary also is known for their monthly Birthday Club that helps children who are hospitalized around their birthday to celebrate.
There are about 165 women who are members of the auxiliary. Many of the women, like Margie Penny, have a special connection to Miller Children’s and volunteer their time to show their gratitude for the hospital.
“My daughter had a life-saving procedure performed at Miller Children’s when she was very young,” says Margie Penny, 3rd vice president, fundraising, Miller Children’s Auxiliary. “I have been in the auxiliary for 15 years now, and it is a great way to give back. The companionship between us ladies is very special.”
The auxiliary’s 70th anniversary will be recognized at this year’s Auxiliary Designer Fashion Show, which will take place from 10am to 2pm Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. The silent auction will begin at 10am, followed by the fashion show at noon. Items for auction include: opportunity drawings, restaurant gift certificates, gift baskets, gourmet food and jewelry. Tickets are $95. For more information, contact Margie Penny at (562) 431-9650 or marjipenny@charter.net .