Women's Auxiliary Plano Chapter

The Women's Auxiliary is a non-profit organization established in 1962 by leaders in our community with a mission to render efficient and effective service to all units of Children's Health℠. Our members have been dedicated ambassadors of Children's Health for the past 60 years.

Join The Women's Auxiliary Plano

Letter from the President

Thank you for your interest in and dedication to the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano. I am honored to serve as Auxiliary President for the 2022-2023 year and excited to work with this group of dynamic women who are committed to serving the patients, their families, the hospital and our community. Our mission is simple, to make life better for children. If you have ever had a child, grandchild, niece, nephew or a friend’s child at Children’s, you know this is a very special place for anyone who enters its doors.

It is an exciting time for Children's Health℠ and the Women’s Auxiliary. Children’s Medical Center Plano is in the throes of expanding their walls and services to meet the ever-growing needs of our community and pediatric population. The Women’s Auxiliary is also preparing to support the expanding hospital programs and services so Children’s Health can continue to provide the best care possible for the countless patients and families they serve.

The Women’s Auxiliary is a group of passionate and committed women volunteering, serving as ambassadors in the community and raising funds to support the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff who provide life-saving care to the children of North Texas. Over the past 12 years, our members have given more than $2 million dollars to Children’s Medical Center Plano. These funds were raised through special events, including North Texas Giving Day, Santa’s Workshop, the BOO Yard Sign Challenge and, of course, our signature event, Legacy of Love, which was completely transformed this past year with a fresh new format which included our key-note speaker, Barbara Pierce Bush.

There are many ways to get involved with the organization. Auxiliary members impact the lives of patients and their families at Children’s Medical Center Plano by distributing necessity items from our Patient/Family Support Cart. Every child facing surgery receives a teddy bear not only to hug, but also to help staff demonstrate upcoming procedures, and no-sew blankets are distributed to patients to offer comfort and security. Auxiliary members also support and encourage Children’s staff members with staff appreciation treat baskets and gift wrapping services during the holidays.

Last year, our funding benefited many critical programs at Children’s, including Neonatal Services on the Plano campus, Pediatric Mental Health, ECMO Program, Spiritual Care, Pet Therapy, Bear Hugs, Patient Support Services and the Employee Care Fund.  We are especially proud that we could make a multi-year pledge in support of the Plano Campus expansion that will benefit patients and families for generations to come. Also, this past year the expanded and enhanced Women’s Auxiliary Playground reopened and is now designed to better accommodate children of all abilities that visit the Children’s Plano Campus.

As we enter our 13th year of service, I look forward to the continued growth of our Plano campus, as well as the growth of our Auxiliary. I want to thank all those members who made last year an amazing success, as well as all of those that have already signed up to make 2022-2023 just as wonderful. The past two years have been difficult, to say the least, but we are all emerging from the difficulties of COVID-19 stronger and more resilient than ever before. The women of the Auxiliary are dedicated to Children’s Medical Center Plano and the community. Thank you for joining us in our efforts as we continue to make life better for children.

Sincerely,

Donna Ivy
President 2022-2023
Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano

  • Donate to the Auxiliary

    The Women's Auxiliary carries out its mission by raising funds to support high-need areas of the hospital. Thank you for helping us.

    Make a Gift

  • Become a Member

    Membership is open to all women committed to the Auxiliary’s mission of helping Children's Health make life better for children.

    Join the Women's Auxiliary Plano

  • Events and Projects

    We carry out our mission by raising funds to support high needs areas of the hospital through several annual fundraising projects and events.

    View Projects

2021-22 Women's Auxiliary Plano Photos

  • Leadership

    Congratulations to our 2021-2022 officers. Your leadership will help Children's Health fulfill its mission to make life better for children.

    • President
      Donna Ivy
    • President-Elect
      Diane Hopson
    • Treasurer
      Chris Krupa Downs
    • Treasurer-Elect
      Mary Ellen Owen 
    • Recording Secretary
      Kathy Schell 
    • Corresponding Secretary
      Heather Lothes 
    • Parliamentarian
      Allison Doyle 
    • Boo Yard Sign Challenge
      Kelley Spurlock
      Beth Vasil
    • Communications
      Beth Webb 
    • Deck the Halls
      Kelley Feagins
    • Deck the Halls-Elect*
      Brandi McKay 
    • Gifts
      Joan C. Smith
      Tracy Tomson
    • Graphic Design*
      Melissa Bullock 
    • Hospitality
      Joa Muns
      Pam Wohlers
    • Legacy of Love
      Whitney Digges
      Jenna Maynard 
    • Legacy of Love-Elect
      Amanda Konersmann
      Justine Sweeney
    • Membership
      Lori Antonioli
    • Newsletter*
      Heather Webb 
    • Nominating
      Lisa Raskin
    • Patient Support
      Jennifer Johnson
    • Patient/Family Support Cart
      Marilyn Mahoney
      Debi Means
    • Patient Support Blanket Coordinator*
      Brenda Harrell
    • Patient Support Hospital Holiday Party Coordinator
      Diane Danks
      Jenny Wood
    • The Red Balloon League
      Melanie Wong 
    • Santa’s Workshop
      Maggie Tarsinos
      Amber Wax
    • Santa’s Workshop-Elect*
      Casey Erdmann 
    • Social Media*
      Elyse Graver 
    • Special Events and NTGD
      Joyce Logan
      Sheri Steele
    • Sponsor Development
      Joan C. Smith
      Sharon Yager
    • Staff Appreciation
      Open 
    • Staff Appreciation Basket Coordinator*
      Christel Morrison 
    • Staff Appreciation/Holiday Gift Wrap Coordinator*
      Becky McKinney
    • Strategic Planning
      Jean Callison

    *Ex officio, non-voting members of the Board of Directors

  • Lifetime Members

    Update Lifetime Membership Information

    Plano Lifetime Members (as of July 2022)

    • Susan Abernethy
    • Lara Ashmore
    • Stephanie Barnes
    • Carrie Benson
    • Jennifer Berry
    • Denise Bickel
    • Rita Bisacca
    • Wendy Blackwell
    • Sandy Brennan
    • Donna Bryant
    • Karla Bryant
    • Lynn Buxton
    • Jean Callison
    • Nora C. Carter
    • Rebecca Egelston Caso
    • Traci Chrisman
    • Phyllis Cole
    • Laura C. Curran
    • Betsy deVenny
    • Allison Doyle
    • Cristina Durovich
    • Jennifer Edgeworth
    • Lucy Edling
    • Wendy Engibous
    • Casey Erdmann
    • Wanda B. Farr
    • Nina Felt
    • Rachel Friedman
    • Dawn Gall
    • Pamela Grant-Clark
    • Lisa Guerrero
    • Sherie Hammett
    • Holly Hassmann
    • Stephanie Hilburn
    • Diane Hopson
    • Joyce Houlihan
    • Ronelle Ianace
    • Donna Ivy
    • Patricia Johnson
    • Mindy Lefevre
    • Cece Liekar
    • Nicki Loper
    • Marilyn Mahoney
    • Kathy Manack
    • Downie Mathis
    • Brandy Matthews
    • Becky McKinney
    • Jenni McGaha
    • Debi Means
    • Letty Minkoff
    • Christi W. Mitchell
    • Joa Muns
    • Kimberly Nelon
    • René Neely
    • Lisa Norton
    • Mary O'Hanlon
    • Cissy Oldner
    • Belinda Orland
    • Linda Paulk
    • Ashleigh Pogue
    • Nicole Powell
    • Peggy Pratt
    • Marlo Pulliam
    • Kathy Railsback
    • Lisa Raskin
    • Abby Ray
    • Traci Redding
    • Kay Richardson
    • Jan Richey
    • Kathi Rupp
    • Carol P. Schauer
    • Kathy Schell
    • Teresa Sinacola
    • Colleen Smith
    • Joan C. Smith
    • Sheri Steele
    • Jenny Stutler
    • April Tate
    • Kimberly N. Terrazas
    • Tracy Tomson
    • Ruthie Vander Lugt
    • Sherrie Varrichio
    • Lisa Viguet
    • Donna Watkins
    • Beth Webb
    • Lisa Phelan Wellen
    • Nancy B. Welwood
    • Allison Whitfield
    • Carly Wohlers
    • Pam Wohlers
    • Sharon Yager
    • Tina Young

  • Hospital Support

    The Women's Auxiliary supports Children's Health in many ways:

    Staff Support

    Throughout the year, teams of Auxiliary members express their appreciation to the staff at Children’s for their commitment to the hospital, our patients and their families. Baskets of treats are provided to show our support and gratitude for their hard work and dedication to those in the greatest of need.
     

    Patient Support

    At the Plano Campus, the Auxiliary's Patient Support Committee has many ways for volunteers to get involved. Volunteers participate in making fleece blankets for patients, collecting special treats and distributing holiday goodie bags during Halloween and Easter, assisting children with holiday crafts and activities during the annual Tree Lighting event and coordinating a patient family dinner. We help make the patient’s stay (and their family’s) at the hospital as comfortable as possible by delivering complimentary snacks and toiletries via the Patient/Family Support Cart. Drives are conducted throughout the year to collect items for the cart and other patient support programs including:

    • Snacks and toiletries for the Patient/Family Support Cart
    • Fleece fabric for blanket projects
    • Art supplies for the Eating Disorders Clinic
    • Crayons and coloring books
    • Halloween and Easter goodies

    The Patient/Family Support Cart makes a huge impact on thousands of patient families. We are pleased to provide this service and thank American Hotel Registry, GoGo Squeez & Niagara Bottling for their continued support to this complimentary service. If you would like to help, please contact patientsupport.plano@childrensauxiliary.org to get involved.

  • History of Giving

    Since 1962, the Auxiliary has continued its tradition and rich history of service to Children’s Medical Center by raising funds for hospital priorities through annual fundraising events and special projects. Through the incredible generosity and countless volunteer hours of its members and a community of friends and supporters, the Auxiliary has gifted more than $22 million to Children’s.

    The following is a list of gifts made by the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Plano chapters:

    Construction and Renovation

    • 12th Floor Critical Care Unit at Children's Dallas (wePromise Campaign gift)
    • Center of Excellence in Godly Play
    • Children's Garden
    • Children's Medical Center Plano expansion
    • Emergency Department renovation
    • Gift Shop and Admitting area renovations
    • The Heart Center
    • ICU Room in honor of George Farr
    • ICU Room in honor of Linda Harris
    • Krissi Holman Family Resource Library and Children's Collection
    • Neurology EEG room
    • Nourishment Room - Children's Medical Center Plano
    • Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
    • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit renovations
    • Renovations to the Psychiatric Unit and Intensive Care Unit waiting rooms
    • School classroom for the patient education program
    • Team Work Station - Children's Medical Center Plano
    • Three operating suites at CHildren's Dallas (Diamond Jubilee Campaign gift)
    • Transfusion service improvements and outpatient phlebotomy lab
    • Transport services communications system improvement
    • Women's Auxiliary Playground expansion

    Education

    • Asthma education pilot program
    • Bilingual services initiative education and evaluation
    • Clinical Research
    • Diabetes nurse educator
    • Home health care teaching guides
    • Management and staff development
    • Pathology/lab multimedia computer systems
    • Patient preparation materials
    • Plating distracting module for plastic surgery
    • Sepsis simulation equipment and training software
    • Toughbooks with charging stations

    Equipment

    • Angel Eye Cameras for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    • Audiovisual carts for Pediatric Trauma
    • Beds and cribs
    • C-Arm portable X-ray for Pediatric Trauma
    • Children's Corner Gift Shop Systems Improvement
    • Diagnostic equipment for the Fetal Neonatal Program
    • DVD players and movies
    • External pacemakers for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
    • ICU televisions and VCRs
    • Infant immobilization chair
    • iPads and customized stands
    • Laerdal SimBaby for Respiratory Care
    • Laerdal SimKid and Glidescope
    • Life-support equipment
    • Monitor and warmers for the Seay Emergency Center
    • Neonatal patient room equipment and crib
    • NOMAD Pro handheld X-ray Systems
    • Orthodontic Scanner
    • Ottobock Kima Strollers
    • Oxygen blenders and ECMO equipment
    • Pagers for ICU families and parent amenity kits
    • Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
    • Playground at Children's Plano
    • Portable defibrillator/oximeter for Children's Transport Service
    • Portable X-ray machine
    • Pro Pac Monitor for Transport Service
    • Rehabilitation and Therapy Services
    • Relay Robot
    • Security safes for patient rooms
    • Sleep-monitoring equipment
    • Stryker cribs for operating rooms and operating room microscopes
    • Surgical robotic arms and cameras
    • Volunteer Management software
    • Wheelchairs for the Seay Emergency Center
    • Wheelchairs for teen population
    • Women's Auxiliary Playground at Children's Medical Center Plano
    • Virtual Reality Equipment for Chronic Pain Rehabilitation
    • Zoll X Series Monitors for Children's Transport Services

    Programs

    • Arts & Humanities
    • Art Therapy Program
    • Bear Hugs
    • Beads of Courage
    • Bereavement Care
    • Camp Moss
    • Car Seat Safety
    • Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
    • Center for Pediatric Eating Disorders
    • Child Life
    • Child Life - Funnyatricks ProgramTM
    • Children's Centennial History Book
    • Children's Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
    • Children's Health Response Fund
    • Children's Plano 10-Year Carnival Celebration
    • Children's Research Institute
    • Comprehensive Gait and Mobility Program
    • Earn Nose and Throat (ENT) Program
    • Electronics package for patient infusion rooms at CCBD
    • Employee Care Fund
    • Endoscopy Lab/Omegaven Trial
    • Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation (ECMO) Program
    • Food Pantry in Partnership with North Texas Food Bank
    • Foster Care
    • The Heart Center - Neurodevelopmental Program
    • Indigent Care
    • Language Access Services
    • Music Therapy
    • Neonatal parent education
    • Pastoral Care
    • Patient and patient-family snack baskets for infusion rooms at Gill Center
    • Patient Family Support Services
    • Patient education program
    • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) - Child Life Specialist
    • Pediatric Mental Health
    • Pediatric Stroke Project
    • Pet Therapy Program
    • Prenatal Dental Program
    • Recreational Art Program
    • Referral and Evaluation of At-Risk Children (REACH)
    • School-based Telebehavioral Health
    • School-based Telehealth program
    • Seay Emergency Center - Nitrous Oxide Program
    • Senior Nursing Student Day
    • Sensory integration assessment/treatment
    • Suicide Prevention and Resilience at Children's Program (SPARC)
    • Summer teen volunteers
    • Teen Recovery Program
    • TeleNICU Services

    Scholarships and Seminars

    • Huvelle Memorial Loan Fund for Residents
    • James Farnsworth Health Careers Scholarship Endowment
    • Kenneth C. Haltalin Pediatric Seminar
    • Pastoral Care Seminar
    • Women's Auxiliary Scholarship Fund