April 6,2013

• Yet another way we can help some needy children and their families 

Good morning, Dear Members,

I have much to share with you but first - please mark your calendars.

Apr 9 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
Apr 22-23 - RWH at Mandarin Gourmet, PA
May 14 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
May 21 - General Mtg @ Lucie Stern Community Ctr PA-Guest Speaker
May 20-21 - RWH at Kabul Afghan Cuisine, San Carlos
June 11 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
June 18 - General Mtg @ Arrillaga Center 
June 24-25 - Mythos, San Carlos
                    (PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS)

One of the speakers you requested was for someone from the School.  We are so pleased to have Kevin Dane, one of the teachers at the Hospital School at our MAY 21 General meeting.  He will speak at 1:30pm for about 15-20 minutes with a few minutes for questions.  He is scheduled to give a tour at the Hospital right after us.   So, we will start at 1:30pm sharp.

Board Changes:  Because of increased family responsibilities and business endeavors Karole Goldie is concerned that she will be unable to fulfill her obligations as our Corresponding Secretary. Since we cannot modify the important duties of the Corresponding Secretary, Karole felt she should resign. The Board has accepted her resignation. She would still like to be active and will become involved with our projects that demand less of her time. Fortunately, our incredibly capable Marzette Woods has graciously accepted the position for the rest of the year. Many thank you's dear Marzette.

Many thank you's also to Victoria Applegate and Tara Quinn for arranging our tour of the Medical Mock-Up facility.  I'm sure those who were able to attend found it to be an outstanding experience.  Many professionals come from afar to visit the site to learn.  How fortunate we were to have had the opportunity!

Bylaws Committee  has, at last, completed the final revision of the Bylaws.  We will share them with  you at the May meeting.

THIS AND THAT:

• Gail Sach's mother, Esther, peacefully passed away on February 5th.  Many of us had met delightful  Esther on several occasions.  She would have been 98 years old in March.  Our prayers and thoughts are with Gail and her family. 
• Some of you who had attended the Tour met Nicole Neal.  Nicole's daughter was born at LCPH and her experience was such that she is interested in doing some volunteering with us.
• The Gamble Gardens book committee contacted me for some advice on publishing a cookbook.  Theirs will be a gardening book with recipes.
• Did you know that the lovely lady in the mini-documentary video shown at the Association luncheon is our member Marilyn Anderson.  Her association with the Hospital is quite a story.  Her husband volunteers there, her daughter works there, she has three grandchildren whose lives have been majorly impacted by LPCH.  One grandson had a head injury requiring brain surgery 18 years ago; a granddaughter had a liver transplant 17 years ago at age 6 months and another granddaughter was diagnosed with diabetes 1-1/2 years ago.  Marilyn also did a wonderful job highlighting all that PAA does - and - did you notice that she had "Tastes, Tales and Traditions" on her kitchen counter!!
• Once again we must thank Catherine McGilvray for sponsoring us at the University Club for our Annual meeting this year and for the use of Lucie Stern Center for our meetings.
• Thank you also to Deborah Potash who has offered to sponsor us at the Arrillaga Center for out Tea this year.
• Molly Paulson had a serious fall and her doctor advised her not to live alone any longer.  She is now living with her daughter.  Molly will be putting her lovely house up for sale and buying a home down where her daughter is - large enough for them to all live together

Lest this gets too long,we will have reports on our Projects at the May meeting.  However, since so many of you have been asking me, I would like to share some exciting news regarding the Packard Pantry

Packard Pantry plans are coming to fruition.  Thanks to the tenacity and efforts of Victoria Applegate and Toni Paterson many questions have been answered and many obstacles have been overcome.  For those who signed up to help with the project and for those who wish to become involved you will be pleased to know that Second Harvest has approved our application and will be helping us.  We will order and receive food from them at no charge.  (If you recall we initially thought we would have to buy the food and pay for it.) Other questions you asked about have been answered.  We will have a place to store the food and a place to assemble the bags. This ordering, delivering and assembling 12 bags of groceries will be once a month.  The work will be shared with auxiliaries from from San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.  All this is still a work in progress and I'll have more details to report at the May 21st general meeting. Needless to say, the Social Services Department at the Hospital is thrilled and so grateful that this much needed service will be taken care of. Here is yet another way we can help these needy families.  I'll have more good news to offer when I see you all at the May meeting.


BIRTHDAY WISHES: 
   APRIL:  Ann Bennett                 

 MAY:  Margaret Stafford         JUNE:   Dallas Manning              
              Kathy Squellati                              Ruth Wood
              Rosamond Martin                         Jane Andrews
              Cille Emery                                     Louise Thursby
                                                                       Mary Hicks
                                                                       Donna Jones
 See you in May, dear members,


Luisa













               

And a good time was had by all....

Good Morning, Dear Members -

For those of you who were unable to come to the marvelous February 25th luncheon at the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge at Stanford I have much to share.

But first some very important news that is time sensitive and needs your RSVP's by March 12th

If you have been reading the Blog and/or coming to our meetings, you know about the tour we have scheduled of the Hospital Expansion Mock-ups that have been constructed for training purposes.  This is an exclusive tour just for PAA.

This tour will take the place of our monthly membership meeting.

We will view the mock-ups of the Intensive Care Unit and the Med/Surgical Patient Rooms, Cardiac Hybrid Operating Room and the Neuro Operating Room/Neuro Hybrid Operating room designed for the new Hospital building slated to open in December 2016.

The Tour is on MARCH 19 at 1135 HAMILTON COURT, MENLO PARK from 1:OO pm to 2:15pm (directions below)

Space is limited. Please call me or email me with your RSVP by March 12th  650-593-9334 or luisapliska@comcast.net 

DIRECTIONS:

From the North:
Take US-101 S toward San Jose
Take exit 404A for Willow Road E toward CA-84
Merge onto Willow Road (go approx. 0.8 mi)
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
Make the first left onto Hamilton Court
Turn left at the second driveway on the left
The entrance to the LPCH Mock-up warehouse is located at the 4th door down

From the South:
Take US-101 N toward San Francisco
Take exit 404A for Willow Road E toward CA-84
Merge onto Willow Road (go approx. 0.8 mi)
Turn right onto Hamilton Avenue
Make the first left onto Hamilton Court
Turn left at the second driveway on the left
The entrance to the LPCH Mock-up warehouse is located at the 4th door down

I have taken this tour and it is incredible!  A great privilege for us to have the opportunity to see it.
Please RSVP to me.  I need to let the Foundation know by March 12th.

And now for those who were unable to attend the February 25th Luncheon celebration:

The Second Annual Association of Auxiliaries luncheon celebrating the successes of all the auxiliaries was outstanding.  The Li Ka Shing Center is an architectural marvel and our dining room beautifully decorated. The lunch was at once delicious and as beautiful as the centerpieces.

The presenters were Dr. David Alexander, President of the Lucile Packard Foundation; Anne McCune, CEO of LPCH; Jill Helms, DDS, PhD, Professor of Surgery; Christopher Dawes, President of LPCH and Donna Bandelloni, Director of Gift Planing who stood in for Missy Ryan, Chair of the Auxiliaries Endowment.  All were so informative and uplifting.

Toni Paterson, our president - introduced each auxiliary and gave each of us our "place in the sun" highlighting each of our volunteer efforts.  Two outstanding videos were shown on giant screens. Plans are to have the videos on the Association's website for all to enjoy and marvel at how our work impacts families.

Here are just a few of the statistics on the 7 Auxiliaries for 2012:
1,138 Total members
122,091 volunteer hours
1,484 baby blankets, baptismal gowns and other gifts from members' Hearts and Hands projects.
$3,666,282 TOTAL FINANCIAL IMPACT FROM AUXILIARIES, FROM ALL SOURCES.  (How about that!!)

A good time was had by all and we came away from this lovely day so sincerely thanked and appreciated and so aware of how important our work is.  I was ever so proud of PAA - a most ego building day for PAA. Thank you dear members.

This blog was primarily to remind you of the Tour and to give you an update on the luncheon.  I will post another in March with the usual business and social information.

Hope to see you at the Tour.

Luisa

Feb 1, 2013 ...through the looking glass...

Although it is not Alice's "through the looking glass" Wonderland, the PAA mirror still reflects much excitement in doing good for the children at LPCH

Good morning, Dear Members -

By now, I trust you all have made your reservations for the Association of Auxiliaries for Children's Annual Luncheon on February 25, 2013,from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge on Campus Drive West at the Stanford School of Medicine.  This promises to be an outstanding day for us with a full program and delicious lunch in a beautiful setting.
The deadline has been extended and some space is still available. If you wish to attend,please call or email Tara Quinn, 497-8591 or Tara.quinn@lpfch.org 

There is much to share but first, please mark your calendar: (for details as to where and when on all events, go to the website paloaltoauxiliary.com and click on Calendar.)

FEB. 19  Membership mtg at Lucie Stern Community Center, PA, 1-3:00pm
FEB. 25  Association of Auxiliaries Annual Celebratory Luncheon (see above)
FEB.  26, 28 RwH Sultana, MP lunch & Dinner
MAR. 12  Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home,PA please RSVP

MAR. 19 Guided tour at 1135 Hamilton Court, MP from 1:00pm to 2:15pm

              This is an exclusive, private tour for PAA of the Hospital Expansion Mock-ups that is used for training purposes.  We will view the mock-ups of the Intensive Care Unit and Med/Surgical Patient Rooms, the Cardiac Hybrid Operating Room and the Neuro Operating Room/Neuro Hybrid Operating room designed for the new Hospital building slated to open in December 2016. 
             Please RSVP to Luisa Pliska or (650)593-9334 BY MARCH 12!
MAR. 24 RwH Brunch at California Cafe,PA
MAR. 25 RwH Dinner at California Cafe,PA 
APRIL - no general meeting
APRIL 9 Thora's Thimbles at Stephanie Beach's home, PA please RSVP
No membership mtg in April
RwH TBD
MAY 14  Thora's Thimbles at Stephanie Beach's home, PA please RSVP
MAY 21   Membership mtg at Lucie Stern Communiity Center,PA 1-3:00pm
RwH TBD
JUNE 11  Thora's Thimbles location TBD
JUNE 18   Membership mtg location TBD
RwH TBD

Here are just a few highlights for those of you who were unable to attend our Annual Luncheon at the University Club.  Many thanks to Gerry Nelson for making all the arrangements for this all-important event. Deborah Potash enhanced the centerpieces which were little herb gardens donated by Trader Joe's. Thank you once again to Catherine McGilvray for sponsoring us at this lovely venue,

We proudly presented Dr. David Alexander, President and CEO of the LPFCH, with our annual donation of $75,000. $56,000 of that was earned in 2012 from AGFS, RwH, Holiday Boutique, cookbook sales and donations and member events.  Dr. Alexander addressed not only our generous gift of money, but also thanked us for all that we do, our special projects like Books and Bears, Teen Van Kits, Pillows and Blankets and Tote Bags which do not raise money but are so important and appreciated by the families and the medical staff. In future blogs, I shall have photos to share of our delightful day together.

NEWS OF OUR PROJECTS AND COMMITTEES:

• The hard work done by Nancy Bronstein and Victoria Applegate has resulted in CVS Pharmacies awarding us a grant of $2,500 to help fund the TeenVan Toiletry Kit project. Needed still are travel size deodorent, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, razors and body washes ( no soaps please)
• Thora's Thimbles has very good news to report. 

As many of you know, the board voted to continue Thora's pillow and blanket project and renamed it Thora's Thimbles. We now needed someone to chair this project.  Stephanie Beach and Sarah Beetem took over during the interim.  Fortunately, dear Ellen Smith came forward
and offered to take the responsibility. Ellen joined PAA as a Tuesday server
in 1980.  She worked at Stanford for 27 years and after retiring 4 years ago,
she rejoined the Tuesday Group Luncheon and is now ready to take over the
pillow project. Ellen looks forward "to renewing friendships and making new
ones as we sew together to help the children at LPCH and other groups.
Dallas Manning is compiling a Memory Book for John Richardson and family. If you have any memories or stories of Thora that you feel the family would love to hear please send them to me or to Dallas.

• Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee has sent its final draft of revisions to Victoria Applegate.  She will review the changes to see if we are in compliance with the rules for non-profits.
• RWH has offered the idea of our purchasing gift certificates for friends for the restaurants of their choice for any of our monthly offerings.  In that way, they can go with their other friends and neighbors.  These also are good as thank you gifts for teachers, hairdressers, hostesses,etc.

GENTLE REMINDER:

Many of you have said you would like more engagement with the Hospital. The Association of Auxiliaries' is planning working committees, to do just that;  Under the umbrella of  "Hospital Engagement" there are four projects in which you and/or friends(do not have to be members) may be interested in participating:

• Teen Van - work among Auxiliaries to determine Van's needs and coordinate gathering and distribution. Would like representation from each Auxiliary and non-Auxiliary volunteers are welcome.
• Beads of Courage - Raise funds for purchase of beads and make bags for necklaces for patients  Distribute to partcipating departments (oncology and cardiac) and potentially expand into ER, NICU, etc
• Packard Pantry - Group will develop program to purchase or receive from Second Harvest) food items, pack weekly and lunch bags and stock pantry for social services.
• Reach Out and Read - Read to children in waiting room on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30

If you are interested in any of these please let me know or you can contact Toni Patterson directly.

OUR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO:

Gail Sachs and her family on the death of Gail's  mother, Esther, who passed away Feb 7th.

Jennifer Dutton and her family on the passing of her mother, Joy Dutton.  Joy has been a member since 1963.

Peggy Fry and her family on the death of her mother Macca Winnburg who was a "tea bag lady" in 1969.

DID YOU KNOW:

   - Cookbook sales have gone international.  We have one book order from England!

   - American Girl Fashion Show and Tea prize deliveries are done in great style.  Marilyn Rogers'sister-in-law is a deputy Sheriff in Pacific Grove.  She delivered the last prize this morning to the winner in Pebble Beach.  She delivered it in a squad car with lights flashing.! Needless to say the recipients were thrilled.

   

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO
Marti Deacon
Joan Heye
Audrey Polster
Catharine McMahon
Carolyn Hofstetter
Stephanie Beach
Elizabeth Modena

MARCH BIRTHDAY WISHES TO
Ericka Crowley
Ginny Lee
Lumie Steele

In closing, I would like to thank my incredible 2012 Board and you- our dear members for the lovely thank you letters and donations made to LPCH in my honor.  None of the goals set in 2012 could have been reached without your work ethic, incredible abilitie and loyalty. Thank you individually and collectively for all that you have done, do and continue to do.  Once again it is my honor to be President of so special a group of women.

Luisa

Happy New Year

Good morning, Dear Members  and a Happy New Year to everyone!

As the holidays recede all too quickly into the rear-view mirror  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the incredible effort each of you has put forth in our fund raising efforts and in the support you have given me via your emails, phone calls and sidewalk chats.  I now invite you all to look into our mirror of the future and see reflected the wonderful year ahead for PAA.

News of the usual end of year reports on the PAA business agenda will be reported at our Annual Luncheon meeting but I have a few other items of interest to share with you. 

But first a gentle reminder and the 2013 calendar events for January, February and March:

Our Annual Luncheon Meeting is on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 9:30am - 2:00pm at the University Club of Palo Alto, 3277 Miranda Avenue. 

Check in time is 9:30am and our Business Meeting will begin at 10:00.  At 12:30pm  members will be seated for a lovely lunch and the presentation of our annual gift to LPCH. Luncheon will conclude with fun fund prizes at 2:00pm 

You will note that this year we have responded to your requests for a different venue for our annual luncheon.  As you know, this is the grand meeting where we proudly present Dr. Alexander with our annual gift  In addition we will give our final reports for 2012, recognize our past presidents, our project leaders, outgoing board, welcome the 2013 Board of Directors and share our plans for 2013.

The deadline for reservations was January 4th - However, Dallas Manning is still accepting phone or email reservations, (650) 858-1376 Her email - lmanning@stanford.edu  Come and enjoy our day together.

The 2013 calendar is still a work in progress.  Below are the events for January, February and March.  Once we have firmed up the rest of the year we will send out a post card listing those dates. Kathy Squellati after the Annual Meeting will begin completing the members' calendar each month giving us the details of each event listed  on the webpage event calendar.   Go to paloaltoauxiliary.com then click on events; for details click on calendar. there you will get information of where and when.  Many thanks to Kathy for doing this important job.

2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 8    Thora's Thimbles, @ Stephanie Beach's PA 9:30am RSVP (650)856-0278
Jan. 15   Annual Membership Luncheon Mtg 9:30am @ University Club,PA
Jan. 21-22   RwH @ Divino, Belmont
Feb. 12  Thora's Thimbles, @ Stephanie Beach's PA 9:30am RSVP (650)856-0278
Feb. 19   General Membership Mtg @ Lucie Stern Community Center,PA
Feb.RwH TB
Mar. 12  Thora's Thimbles,@ Stephanie Beach's PA 9:30am RSVP (650)856-0278
Mar. 19  General Membership Mtg. Guided tour of the full-size medical mock ups of specialized operating rooms and patient rooms designed for the new construction
Mar. 23-24  RwH @ California Cafe,PA Sun brunch, Mon. Dinner

As you all know,June Schiller is our new Treasurer for 2013.  Many of you know June but I'd like to tell you a little about her. June has been a member since 1970.  Her volunteering extends beyond PAA.  June has served as President of AAUW and PTA. She has taught in the Palo Alto Unified School District and served as President of the Palo Alto Education Association, was Dean of Students at Jordon Middle School, Principal of Fairmeadow Elementary School and Director of Building Development for the School Distrtict.   Once she retired she returned to PAA as a Thursday server. We are thrilled to have her on the Board.  Please go to our website for more information and June's photo.

Karole Goldie is also a new Board member.  She will be our Corresponding Secretary for 2013.  Unfortunately, information on Karole's many accomplishments has not arrived in time for this month's blog.  However,  I know Karole has been a member since 1999.  She was on the Board at one time as Recording Secretary.  She is an attorney.  However, her real claim to fame is she was our Bunny for our Bunny days events and she has a handsome young 4th grader who - as a little boy would come to events at the restaurant and once fell in the fountain!.  What more could one want in a Board member!  the Board is equally thrilled to have her with us in 2013.  Once I receive a photo and Karole's bio you can see more information by going to our website.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Deedee McMurty
Jo Ann Pfost
Carolyn Keeley

JANUARY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Marilyn Ellis
Deborah Potash
B.J. Sorensen

Now, it is truly with a heavy heart that I share the following with you.  I recently learned that Shirlee Stite's husband, Don passed away on December 24.  Shirlee and Don decided their Christmas gift to each other this year would be a grand celebration party with all the family and friends on Dec. 22.  As many of you know Don had been ill for some time. The next day they had the traditional Sunday brunch before Christmas. That night Don passed away in his sleep, peacefully and in no pain.  As Shirlee said, "how fortunate and blessed that the entire family was with him the day he passed away."

There will be no service.  For those who wish to make a donation in his name, please send it either to the Stanford Buck Club http://www.buckcardinal.com/ or Yosemite Conservancy http://www.yosemiteconservancy.org/  PAA has made a donation to LPCH in his name.  Shirlee and her family are in our thoughts and prayers.

This year has been one of joys and sorrows.  In regards to the passing of dear Thora Richardson,  I received many glowing, thoughtful emails and letters regarding Thora that the Board would like to compile them in a scrapbook for her husband and family.  Should you have any thoughts to share and would like them to be placed in this booklet, please email them to me, luisapliska@comcast.net  or mail them to me at 1567 Escondido Way, Belmont, CA 94002.   I will compile them with what I have and will send them along to Dallas Manning who has offered to do the booklet.

Lest we end on so sad a note - I should report the joyous news of a grandson born December 26 making Karen and Bob Stevens first time grandparents.

My dear members, I will have more joyous news to share at our meeting on Tuesday.  The mirror of the future reflects so many good things for PAA.  Until then, my wishes to you all for a Happy, Healthy and Grand New Year.

Luisa

Thora's Thimbles...

Good morning, Dear Members -

Because of the many calls, notes and emails inquiring about Thora, I thought I would post this interim Blog to respond to you all.

As many of you know Thora has passed away and her husband John asked that I relay the following information to you.  Her memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 4th at 2:00pm at the Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, 960 Santa Cruz Avenue.  A reception will follow.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.  Checks may be made payable to Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health and sent to the Foundation at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340, Palo Alto, CA 94301.  (please note on your check that you are a member of the Palo Alto Auxiliary.  That way we will get credit toward our annual donation to the hospital.  It is the donor that needs to be a member in order for us to get credit.

All of us are dedicated members of PAA and we all work as hard as our time and physical prowess allows us. However, our work pales next to Thora's incredible dedication and hard work.
From the day she joined PAA in 1986 she was active in every project needing her time and talents.
She was a Tuesday Hostess, President of PAA and on the Board of Directors before and after her presidency alternating between the office of Treasurer and Finance chairperson.  She worked on the Bylaws committee, the American Girl Fashion Show and was an avid supporter of our Restaurants with Heart Project.  In 2009 she started the very successful Pillows and Blankets workshop, welcoming us all into her home every month to produce pillows and blankets for the children. From our work there and in our homes, Thora was able to bring 40 -50 beautiful pillows every month for the hospital and the teen van!

This was a project very dear to her heart and the Board voted to continue with it.  To honor her we have renamed the project "Thora's Thimbles"  Resuming in January, the meetings will be held as usual at 10:00am on the second Tuesday of each month. Thora held all the meetings at her home.  She has left us all the supplies and directions on how she ran the workshops. However, we will need members to volunteer being hostesses for the meetings

Stephanie Beech has graciously offered her home for the meetings from January to June.  All are welcome to be part of this project whether you can attend the workshops or if you can work at home or if you would like to just send fabric and "stuffing" for the pillows.  We would welcome all who would like to participate in this worthwhile endeavor.  It is so needed and appreciated by the hospital staff and the teen van staff.  The children and their families have shared how much those pillows mean to them.

If you are interested in participating in this ever so worthwhile project please contact Sarah Beetem at
650-968-8409 or sgbeetem@gmail.com

Thora was a role model for all of us with her warmth and dedication and we will miss her.

Luisa

"...Palo Alto Auxiiary has quite a legacy....".

Good morning, Dear Members -

Suddenly, it's our busiest time of year - not only because of the national holidays but especially because of our many PAA celebrations and fund raising events.  I'd like to give you a gentle reminder on some of them and alert you to some changes in our calendar of events:

Oct. 16 - we had our delightful Membership Tea at the Arrillaga Family Rec Center in Menlo Park
Nov. 9th and 10th is our American Girl Fashion Show and Tea 
Nov. 13 - Pillow Sewing at Thora's has been cancelled
Nov. 20 General Meeting at Lucie Stern Community Center
The November RWH @ the Parkside Grill has been cancelled
Dec. 1 is our Holiday Boutique sale at Allied Arts Guild which will be from 10:00am - 3:00pm
Dec.18 there is no general meeting
January 15 is our Annual Membership Mtg & Luncheon @ the University Club in Palo Alto


Perfect weather presented itself for our Tea day at Arrillaga's spacious patio and exquisite arrangements graced the tables with vibrant colors. The buffet table was resplendent with a dazzling array of delicious offerings thanks to Mary Hicks and her team of chefs.

What better atmosphere to honor our  23 honorees. Together their years of service total 872 years!  As many of you know a donation is made to the LPCH school in honor of these ladies.

Dr. David Alexander, Pres.& CEO of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health took time to come from San Francisco to speak to us.  Also Victoria Applegate, V.P. & Dir. of Auxiliaries Relations
and Tara Quinn, Assistant Director of Auxiliaries were our guests.




For your enjoyment here are a few photos:   BJ Sorensen at the reception table greeting us with her wonderful smile.  Dallas Manning in her lovely autumn-hued jacket orchestrating the Fun Fund raffle,

The colorful trio: Marilyn Ellis, Mary Koeppen and Nancy Larsson who  recently returned from Singapore.
              

and our members seated at tables of eight enjoying the day together.

November 9 and 10 is the American Girl Fashion Show and Tea.  Show times are Friday, Nov. 9th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm , Saturday, Nov. 10th at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm. Held at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos.  

November 13 Thora's pillow& blanket workshop has been cancelled.  She had a bad fall and was taken to Stanford Hospital.  Her vital signs are all normal.  However, she was transferred to the Santa Clara Medical Center for daily physical therapy. Her husband asks that please- no calls or visitors at this time.  I know cards and well wishes would be most welcome.  I will keep you updated as I hear from him.

November 20 General meeting at the Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. We will need the membership vote on the slate of officers for 2013.

November Restaurants with Heart Parkside Grill has been cancelled. The dates they could offer us were too close to Thanksgiving and there was not enough time to seek out another restaurant.

December 1  Our Holiday Boutique at Allied Arts Guild will now be held from 10:00am -3:00pm.

December 18th there is No General Meeting

January 15th Our Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon at the University Club in Palo Alto

ASSOCIATION NEWS:
Many of you know about the Auxiliaries Endowment and some of you are members already. Membership involves a planned gift to be made to LPCH. There are many ways to do this and can have many tax advantages.  Another benefit of membership is that members are listed on the beautiful Auxiliaries wall in the hospital.

The reason I am sharing this with you is not only because some people have asked about it but also because now for the first time in years the Foundation is updating the wall. If you have any interest in learning more about planned giving and perhaps having your name included in this prestigious list before the end of 2012  you can contact Missy Ryan, Chair, Auxiliaries Endowment,  or Donna Bandelloni, Director of Gift Planning at LPCH.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Sarah Beetem
Jane Bradley
Ellen Latour
Gerry Nelson
Karen Stevens
Karen Sutherland
Mary Anne York

I apologize for the length of this blog but in closing I would like to share with you some of Victoria Applegate's recent email to me regarding the Palo Alto Auxiliary:

                  "You are such a caring, devoted and resilient group, and you all work so hard to support the hospital.  We are deeply grateful -- not only for what you do as members, but also for what you have meant to Packard, and to the Children's Hospital at Stanford and to the Stanford Home for Convalescent Children for so many decades.  You all are a big part of the very strong foundation of the hospital, and you continue to support it in big and small ways.

Palo Alto has quite a legacy -- and I'm really impressed that you continue to look to the future...... 

As always - dear members- I welcome your news and thoughts about PAA,  See you at the American Girl Fashion Show and Tea.

Luisa








                

 

Our Fun and Fund Raising Events

October 9, 2012

Good Morning Dear Members,

With our ever so important annual events and fund raising events taking place in October and November, I thought we should have a gentle reminder Blog.

So - once again - please mark your calendar:

Sept 24-25 - RWH @ Mandarin Gourmet, Palo Alto
Oct 8 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Oct 9 - Pillow sewing and Knitting at Thora's. RSVP.
Oct 16 - Annual Member Tea @ Arrillaga Family Rec Center, MP
Oct 22-23 - RWH @ Kabul, San Carlos
Nov 9 - American Girl Fashion Show
Nov 10 - American Girl Fashion Show
Nov 12 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Nov 13 - Pillow sewing and Knitting at Thora's. RSVP.
Nov 20 - General Mtg @ at Lucie Stern Community Ctr PA
Nov TBD - RWH @ Parkside Grill, Portola Valley
Dec 1 - Holiday boutique sale @ Allied Arts Guild
Dec 10 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Dec 11 - Pillow sewing and Knitting at Thora's. RSVP.
   Delete the Dec 18 - General Mtg @ Lucie Stern Community Ctr There is NO Dec. meeting
Jan 15 - Annual Membership Mtg & Luncheon @ University Club PA

Shirlee Stites reminds us that Books and Bears time is here again - Here are the following group dates chosen for Bear making at the Build-a-Bear store in the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo (and lunch afterwards if your group so chooses.) Those members who did not work on a specific day at the restaurant are invited to contact the listed person for the day you would like to come.  You are more than welcome and it is a fun day.

Thursday, Oct. 25th - Thursday ladies contact Shirlee Stites at (650)854-0830 
Friday, Nov. 2nd - Friday ladies contact Marzette Woods at (650)967-7337
Monday, Nov. 5th - Monday ladies contact Marilyn Ellis (408)830-9878
Tuesday, tentative date Nov. 27 - Tuesday ladies contact Thora Richardson (650)854-3465
Wednesday, ladies please check with Sue Pettigrew (650)328-7778

If you are donating books, remember they must be new and can be for ages from babies to teenager.  Do not wrap the books.  If you are also going on a "Bear" day you can take the book with you and give it to the organizer.  If not - please bring the books to the Tea. If unable to come to the Tea please put the books in a bag and leave it at Shirlee Stites' front door with your name on it.

As you all know on OCTOBER 16th we will have our delightful MEMBERSHIP TEA. It will be held FROM 2-4:00pm in the lovely, spacious and covered patio at the ARRILLAGA FAMILY RECREATION CENTER, 600 ALMA STREET IN MENLO PARK.

Please remember to RSVP to Dallas Manning (650) 858-1376 or hmanning@stanford.edu
We will not only be honoring our members for their years of service but Dr. Alexander, CEO of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, will- in 15 minutes- update us on the exciting developments with the Hospital Groundbreaking and the future of Packard Hospital.

Also - please note we have added Rita Benedict for her 54 years of dedication to Our Honorees for 2012.  In the initial list published we did not have her listed.  Many thanks to Margaret Robinson for letting us know about Rita.

15 Years - Mae Skaff, Barbara Trainer,Kay Wangelin
20 Years - Samira Bahous
25 Years - Jane Andrews, Inge Crozier, Marti Deacon, Mollie Paulsen
40 Years - Susan Hull, Carolyn Lovek, June Schiller
45 Years - Marah Brehaut, Sally Bush, Carol Holmes, Rosamond Martin, Maxine McFeeters, Ginny Palmer, Marzette Woods
53 Years - Marilyn Ellis,Louise Thursby
54 Years - Shirlee Stites, Rita Benedict
58 Years - Margaret Robinson

It will be a delightful afternoon.  In addition to the delicious menu prepared by Mary Hicks and her committee, Nancy Bronstein has made all 24 flower arrangements to enhance the charming autumn setting that Stephanie Beach and her committee have created.

Sharon Brugos, chair of our Holiday Boutique to be held on Dec. 1 at the Allied Arts Guild, thanks all for the lovely handmade items that have been donated and asks that you please keep your nimble magical fingers knitting  - the more items we have to sell, the better.  This was a very successful event last year and can be even more successful this year.  If you have any items please bring them to the Tea and Sharon will collect them.

Much information is given at the Membership meetings that I don't put in the Blog.  However, this one time, I will share with you in this blog the third quarter Gross Revenue/Net proceeds
of our sister auxiliaries.  This would be for the three months from May to August:

•    Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary's revenue- $142,575.00
•    Charter Auxiliary's revenue - $30,216,89.00
•    Palo Alto Auxiliary's revenue- $3,823.00 (our American Girl Event is held in Nov.)
•    Roth Auxiliary's revenue - YTD sales were up 15% over the same time last year
•    San Jose Auxiliary's revenue- $10,899.44 (there Pumpkin Patch is Oct 13.)
•    San Mateo-Burlingame's Auxiliary's revenue-$10,968.45 (net)
•    San Francisco Auxiliary's Jewel Ball will be held in November.

As you can see our money for this 3rd quarter report has come from Restaurants with Heart and the few books sold.  The 4th Quarter report will reflect the money raised at the American Girl Doll Event, the Holiday Boutique, cookbook sales and the Restaurants with Heart proceeds.  Let's make a great deal of money for LPCH this coming quarter.

BIRTHDAY WISHES:

Belated SEPTEMBER wish to Barbara Cole
OCTOBER:  Sue-Ellen Naugler, Nancy Bronstein, Jackie Clark, Luisa Pliska
NOVEMBER: Sarah Beetem, Jane Bradley, Karen Stevens, Ellen Latour, 
                        Karen Sutherland,Gerry Nelson, Marilyn Slater, Kay Willoughby

Well, that is enough for now.  There will be another October Blog in which I will share more news - past, present and future.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Tea for a wonderful day together.  Until then,

Luisa