Our mission is simple. Rady Children’s Hospital – Auxiliary works in partnership with Rady Children’s and supports its mission through advocating for the health and well-being of children, increasing community awareness of the hospital, and fundraising.
By the Numbers
- $82 million raised
- 1,200+ volunteers
- 20 active Units
- Vital contributor to multiple large-scale projects, such as supporting the development of the Rose Pavilion.
Timeline
- June 10, 1953: Mrs. Mabel Jessop called ambitious ladies together to serve their community through service to the Hospital
- 1954: Membership grew to 500 in the very first year
- 1960: Hosted the premiere of the new San Diego stadium
- 1963: The Christmas card program sold more than 48,000 cards and raised more than $4,000
- 1971: Also known as the Million Dollar Year, this year marked the first time the Auxiliary’s contributions surpassed $1 million
- 1975: The Auxiliary was given permission to designate funds to departments of their choice
- 1981: The Auxiliary started the Penny-a-Point campaign, allowing individuals to pledge money for every point the San Diego Chargers scored in the season. Year-end points? 526!
- 1983: The San Diego Simon & Garfunkel concert donated 40 percent of the profits from the closest 2,000 seats
- 1984: The very first computer list of Auxiliary member information was created
- 1990: The first edition of Kid’s Newsday was published, with Jessica Esquivel as the cover model! Proceeds totaled $36,000.
- Mid-1990s: The Thrift House Task Force accepted the proposal to add $500,000 to the Mabel Jessop Fund.
- 1996: Inspired by an Auxiliary member’s innovation, Walmart provided all children at Rady Children’s with a Tickle-Me-Elmo doll
- 2004: The Rancho Bernardo Unit sold 4,535 poinsettia plants, raising more than $20,000
- 2010: The Auxiliary contributed $500,000 to the construction of the Acute Care Pavilion
- 2010: The Auxiliary partnered with the Children’s Convalescent Home, known today as the Helen Bernardy Center, and donated $1 million toward renovations
- 2015: The Auxiliary pledged $2.5 million to the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine
- 2019: President Cheryl Steinholt and her committee funded the Endowment for Neuroscience at the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, providing an endowed chair $100,000 in perpetuity each year
- 2020: Challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Laura Stearn implemented successful virtual meetings and events.
- 2023: Auxiliary Members, collectively, fundraised over 3 million dollars for Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.
Leadership
Meet our new Auxiliary President, Michele Fisher, an auxilian who has been with the Scripps Ranch Unit for 15 years.
Michele is originally from Barstow, but has called San Diego home since 1982. Her auxiliary experience as a Social Chair, Ways and Means Chair, Membership Chair, Kids News Day Chair and Unit Chair leave her more than qualified for this new role. When she’s not busy with her Presidential duties, you may find her at the gym in training for a powerlifting competition. Her motto for her Presidency is Advocate, Educate, FUNdraise and she is geared to lead Rady Children’s Auxiliary to continue to support our mission.
