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.
Our mission: To make life better for children.
Letter from the President
Dear Members of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano,
This year, our Auxiliary has hit our milestone Sweet 16, and we have so much to celebrate! Like any 16-year-old, we’re full of energy, ready for new adventures, and proud of how far we’ve come. What began as the vision of a small group of determined women has grown into a vibrant, confident organization that’s making a lasting difference for the children and families at Children’s Medical Center Plano.
Just like any great birthday party, this year is all about bringing people together. With the new tower fully open and more patients and staff than ever before, we have the perfect reason to roll out our signature services with even more heart. From our beloved Patient Cart to our exciting new Pickleball fundraiser - and all of the other events and projects that have become cherished traditions - we’ll be serving up joy, comfort, and connection all year long.
Of course, no Sweet 16 is complete without a few surprises! We’re dreaming up fresh ways to grow our membership, strengthen our impact, and make sure our Auxiliary continues to shine for years to come.
Whether you’re a founding member, a recent joiner, or somewhere in between, you are the reason our Auxiliary is so special. Thank you for your gifts of time, talent, and heart. I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone year together…and to keep writing our story of service, friendship, and joy.
Here’s to a Sweet 16 we’ll never forget!
Sincerely,
Kim Gleason
President 2025-2026
Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano
Donate to the Auxiliary
Make a GiftThe Women's Auxiliary carries out its mission by raising funds to support high-needs areas of the hospital. Thank you for helping us.
Become a Member
Join the Women's Auxiliary PlanoMembership is open to all women committed to the Auxiliary’s mission of helping Children's Health make life better for children. Join us today!
Events and Projects
View ProjectsWe raise funds through a variety of annual fundraising projects and events. Click below to review our events and get involved.
2025-2026 Women's Auxiliary Plano Photos
Leadership
Congratulations to our 2026-2027 chairs. Your leadership will help Children's Health fulfill its mission to make life better for children.
President: Jenna Maynard
President-Elect: Diane Danks
Treasurer: Sarah Henze
Treasurer-Elect: Donna Ivy
Corresponding Secretary: Diane Hopson
Recording Secretary: Jean Callison
Parliamentarian: Kim Gleason
BOO Yard Sign Challenge*: Kaci Mason
Communications: Stephanie Berry
Deck the Halls*: Maggie Tarsinos, Danielle Armistead and Audrie Garrison
Fundraising: Melanie Perkins
Gifts: Diane Hopson and Heather Lothes
Hospitality*: Kelley Spurlock and Beth Vasil
Legacy of Love*: Erika Gebhardt and Jacqueline Davis
Legacy of Love-Elect*: Jacqueline Davis
Mahjong*: Diane Hopson and Heather Lothes
Membership: Tami Sendelbach
Membership Retention*: Julie Goff
New Member*: Monica Quiros
Newsletter*: Lori Antonioli
Nominating: Allison Doyle
Patient Support: Jenny Wood
Patient/Family Support Cart Coordinator*: Lori Barry and Lisa Schumacher
Patient Support Blanket Coordinator*: Jackie Almquist
Patient Support Hospital Party Coordinator*: Sandy Pollard and Kathy Prior
Pickleball*: Betty Andrews and Alix Wren
Recruitment Chair*: Courtney Echols
Research & Development*: Sharon Yager
Santa’s Workshop*: Dione Bielgard and Trisha Davis
Santa’s Workshop-Elect*: Kaci Mason
Social Chair*: Kaci Mason
Social Media*: Cassie Clair
Sponsor Development*: Joa Muns
Staff Appreciation: Amanda Konersmann
Staff Appreciation Basket Coordinator*: Elyse Graver and Allison Doyle
Staff Appreciation/Holiday Gift Wrap Coordinator*: Janie Burke and Joany Pardee
Strategic Planning Chair: Lisa Raskin
*Non-voting members of the board
Lifetime Members
Plano Lifetime Members (as of June 30, 2026)
Susan Abernethy
Jackie Almquist
Lara Ashmore
Stephanie Barnes
Lori Barry
Carrie Benson
Jennifer Berry
Denise Bickel
Rita Bisacca
Wendy Blackwell
Sandy Brennan
Donna Bryant
Karla Bryant
Janie Burke
Lynn Buxton
Jean Callison
Nora C. Carter
Rebecca Egelston Caso
Jeri Chambers
Traci Chrisman
Phyllis Cole
Laura C. Curran
Betsy DeVenny
Chris Krupa Downs
Allison Doyle
Christina Durovich
Courtney Echols
Jennifer Edgeworth
Lucy Edling
Wendy Engibous
Casey Erdmann
Wanda B. Farr
Kelley Feagins
Nina Felt
Rachel Friedman
Dawn Gall
Kim Gleason
Pamela Grant-Clark
Lisa Guerrero
Sherie Hammett
Brenda Harrell
Holly Hassmann
Stephanie Hilburn
Diane Hopson
Joyce Houlihan
Ronelle Ianace
Donna Ivy
Cindy Johnson
Jennifer Johnson
Patricia Johnson
Lisa Kern
Wendi Klatsky
Lori Kreitman
Dee Ann Kundysek
Mindy Lefevre
Cece Liekar
Joyce Logan
Nicki Loper
Heather Lothes
Marilyn Mahoney
Kathy Manack
Downie Mathis
Brandy Matthews
Jenna Maynard
Lauren McCarthy
Lynda McDevitt
Jenni McGaha
Becky McKinney
Debi Means
Letty Minkoff
Christi W. Mitchell
Joa Muns
René Neely
Kimberly Nelon
Lisa Norton
Mary O'Hanlon
Cissy Oldner
Laran O’Neill
Belinda Orland
Joany Pardee
Tonya Parker
Linda Paulk
Maggie Peck
Holly Pennett
Michelle Pisciotta
Ashleigh Pogue
Sandy Pollard
Nicole Powell
Peggy Pratt
Kathy Ott Prior
Marlo Pulliam
Kathy Railsback
Lisa Raskin
Abby Ray
Traci Redding
Kay Richardson
Jan Richey
Dorly Roy
Kathi Rupp
Carol P. Schauer
Kathy Schell
Tami Sendelbach
Theresa Sinacola
Colleen Smith
Joan C. Smith
Sheri Steele
Susan Strandt
Jenny Stutler
Justine Sweeney
April Tate
Kimberly N. Terrazas
Tracy Tomson
Ruthie Vander Lugt
Sherrie Varrichio
Lisa Viguet
Donna Watkins
Julie Wax
Beth Webb
Lisa Phelan Wellen
Nancy B. Welwood
Allison Whitfield
Carly Wohlers
Pam Wohlers
Alix Wren
Sharon Yager
Tina Young
Hospital Support
The Women's Auxiliary provides support to patients and staff within the hospital through a variety of programs, including:
Staff Appreciation
Throughout the year, Auxiliary members express their appreciation to the staff at Children’s Health for their commitment to our patients and their families. Baskets of snacks and treats are provided to show our support and gratitude for their hard work and dedication to those in the greatest of need. In addition, during the holiday season, the Women’s Auxiliary offers their time and talents to a complimentary gift-wrapping service for the Children’s Medical Center Plano staff.
Patient Support
At the Plano Campus, the Auxiliary's Patient Support Committee has many opportunities to get involved. Volunteers participate in making fleece blankets for patients, creating and distributing holiday activity bags and assisting children with holiday crafts and activities during the annual Tree Lighting event. They also help make the hospital as comfortable as possible for patients and their families by delivering complimentary snacks and toiletries via the Patient/Family Support Cart. The Auxiliary conducts drives throughout the year to collect items such as the following for patient support programs:
Snacks and toiletries for the Patient/Family Support Cart
Fleece fabric for blanket projects
Art supplies
Crayons and coloring books
Halloween, Easter and Valentines activities
The Patient/Family Support Cart makes a significant impact on thousands of patient families. 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 nearly more than $32 million to Children’s Health.
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
New Dallas Pediatric Campus
Nourishment Room - Children's Medical Center Plano
Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit renovations
Pediatric Mental Health Expansion at Children's Medical Center Plano
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
Caldwell Sierra Summit Electromyography Machine
Children's Corner Gift Shop Systems Improvement
Dallas Campus Equipment Fund
Diagnostic equipment for the Fetal Neonatal Program
DVD players and movies
External pacemakers for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Heart Center Nordic MRI-Safe Tablet
ICU televisions and VCRs
Infant immobilization chair
iPads and customized stands
Laerdal SimBaby for Respiratory Care
Laerdal SimKid and Glidescope
Life-support equipment
The Mindray SP5-1s Ultrasound Probe
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
PICU Bladder Scanners
Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
Plano Campus Equipment Fund
Playground at Children's Medical Center 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
Adaptive Care Program
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 Greatest Needs
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
Embedded Pediatric Psychology Services
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
Integrated Behavioral Health
Integrated Therapy Unit
Language Access Services
Mental Health Initiatives Fund
Mental Health Services for Critical and Complex Patients
Mental Health Services at the Rees Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence
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 Oncology Services
Pediatric Stroke Project
Pet Therapy Program
Play Therapy
Prenatal Dental Program
Recreational Art Program
Referral and Evaluation of At-Risk Children (REACH)
School-based Telebehavioral Health
School-based Telehealth program
School Services 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
Research
Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern Endowment
Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Research
Nursing Research and Innovation
Monitored Augmented Reality System (MARS) Phase II
Monitored Augmented Reality System (MARS) Phase III
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
Women’s Auxiliary Endowment
Dallas Women’s Auxiliary Endowment for Children’s Health
Dallas Women’s Auxiliary Endowment for Patient and Family Support Services
The Plano Women’s Auxiliary Endowment for Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Women’s Auxiliary Kathy S. Boobar Endowment for Indigent Care
