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.
Leadership
Karry McDannald is our current Auxiliary President. She joined more than ten years ago as a member of the North County Unit. Karry has been an integral part of the Auxiliary, serving in multiple positions before becoming President.
Karry was born and grew up locally in San Marcos. After high school graduation, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and then a master’s degree at San Diego State University. Karry and her husband, Guy, live in Valley Center and own a family business. They have two adult sons, Austin and Brent.
