April News

Dear Palo Alto Auxiliary Members,

 

Even though we don't traditionally hold a general meeting in April, we still have many members working on PAA Projects.  Our board met this week and reviewed the ongoing projects as well as the recent meeting of the Association of Auxiliaries . Treasurer June Schiller has offered to update the calendar on our website so that will be a great place to look for event dates, times and locations.

 

Our next general meeting will be Tuesday, May 20th at Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto at 1 PM. Our guest speaker will be Grace Gengoux, PhD, BCBA on the subject of Autism in children. Dr. Gengoux is an  assistant professor with the Child and Adolescent Psychology Clinic at LPCH. As Autism is something about which we hear much but know little, it should be a fascinating subject.  We would love to have a good turnout so please come and bring a friend. Guests are always welcome!

 

Membership continues to rise as dues are paid. We now have 149 paid members. Mary Koeppen will attempt to contact those missing from last year. Welcome back to Carolyn Roland, a former member. 

 

Our most important current and  an ongoing project is Restaurants with Heart ably directed by Marlene Bollhoffer. With the help of Deborah and Roger Potash, Karen Stevens, Audrey Polster and others, they continue to find restaurants and convince them to let us share in their profits. This month the site will be Kabul Afghan Cuisine in San Carlos on Monday and Wednesday, April 28th and 30th.  Please look at our website page for the times and menu and how to sign up. It's easy and very profitable to PAA. Why not invite a friend or neighbor to join you for lunch or dinner?

 

The RwH gang have also started a new trend: the California Pizza Kitchen in Palo Alto is offering to give us 20% of all checks of patrons who come with the flyer naming PAA as the beneficiary from May 12th to May 15th. Just download a flyer (paper color doesn't matter) or pick up one from Marlene and have a pizza for lunch or dinner. Take-out is possible, too, but don't forget the flyer.

 

Thora's Thimbles and the American Girl Fashion Show committee are not meeting in April but will start up again in May.

 

Cookbook impresario Luisa Pliska reports a special price for Mother's and Father's Days of $18 a book.  We have just under 700 more to sell from the 10,000 published. If you'd like to help Luisa, please let her know.  Let's get this job finished!

 

On a somber note, we were all very sad to hear of the death of our longtime member, Shirlee Stites. We'll miss her willing help in so many areas and her ever cheerful smile very much. Her family is holding a memorial service on May 24th at 12 PM.  Gerry Nelson has graciously offered to take over the Bears and Books project next fall. Erika Crowley and Ginny Wilson will take over the photography jobs.

In Affiliate news, Luisa reports that helping with Packard Pantry is now easier as there are helpers to lift boxes at the pick up station at Second Harvest Food Bank and at LPCH  where the valets will lift boxes between their regular duties. Packers are needed at LPCH for a short time every second and fourth Thursday morning. The Teen Van group would like help writing grants as well as toiletries. Hearts and Hands continues to coordinate donations.

 

We have been asked to list events of our sister auxiliaries:

     Allied Arts has a new vintage gift area if you have any treasures   you'd   like to donate or purchase.

     Charter's next sale is this weekend: April 18 and 19th

     San Francisco has sent a save the date for their Jewel Ball next November 1st.

     San Jose has Half-Price Days on April 24 and 25 and new window displays with LPCH patient photos.

     San Mateo-Burlingame has a Game Day scheduled for June 18th.

In Association news: Nancy, Sarah and Luisa attended the April 7 meeting of the Association of Auxiliaries, we heard about new "branding" for LPCH - logo and symbolic colors, a new special project proposal and endowment updates and proposals. We can explain these much better in person so come to the general meeting.  LPCH has a new website at www.stanfordchildrens.org.

 

Please remember to check our own website at www.paloaltoauxiliary.com. It has everything from  news in the President's Blog, Restaurants- with-Heart menus,  to event dates and times and great photos.

We wish each of you a happy and healthy spring,

Sarah and Nancy 

March News

Spring is here! We are halfway through March and it feels like summer. Our gardens are blooming and we are busy planning a new year for PAA.

 

This week is our March general meeting and as we don’t meet in April, we’re hoping that many of you will attend. We’ll be at Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto on Tuesday, March 18^th at 1:00 PM.

 

 We’ve invited several members of our sister auxiliaries to tell us about the Affiliates program and show us what they do. Anna Henderson will explain the current Teen Van program and the Beads of Courage project. Louise Scott will talk about the several Hearts and Hands projects and Reading Buddies. Our own Luisa Pliska will describe Packard Pantry.

 

While some of you have already participated in these projects, we’d like to present an overview of all of them and what they mean to the hospital.

 

Last month we had a delightful talk by Kristen Beckler from Child Life Services on how children are helped through the traumatic experiences in Emergency.  Unfortunately only fourteen of us were able to hear her talk. Let’s aim for a better turn out this month!

 

We did have a great turnout at the Association of Auxiliaries annual luncheon on March 3^rd. We filled four tables with members and enjoyed the delightful lunch and inspiring speakers, especially a four year old patient and his grateful mother.

 

Remember to sign up for lunch or dinner at Quinto Sol in Redwood City next week on March 24^th and 25^th. The Restaurants with Heart group could  use help both prior to the events and by you coming and bringing a friend.  We all like to eat, so why not try this distinctive cuisine in a charming restaurant? See our website for more details.

 

Also, if you are on Facebook, on your own page go to the box at the top (with the words “search for people, places and things”)and type in PAA and hit the space bar. Go to our page and “like” it….the more ‘likes’ the more viral our information goes. It’s all free advertising!

 

Our fall fundraiser, the American Girl Fashion Show, has already started with a committee meeting of old and new volunteers. Several minor changes are being considered but the dates are settled for the weekend of November 15 and 16, 2014 so mark your calendars.

 

Luisa has reactivated the cookbook project and hopes to sell the last ones this year. If you have stored any and have not been contacted by her, please let her know. If you’d like to help out, let her know that, too!!

 

Please watch this space for updates on events both for PAA and for our sister auxiliaries. We won’t be sending out a paper calendar soon as so many dates are in flux.

 

We hope to see everyone on Tuesday! Happy Spring.

 

Sarah and Nancy

February News for PAA

February, 9, 2014

 

Welcome to the New Year from your new PAA Presidents! We will be serving as co-presidents this year, a new idea for PAA but one used by other auxiliaries. We hope to share the burden and share the number of meetings we attend so you won’t always see us together.

 We welcome back several former members, Stephanie Beach as Vice-President, June Schiller as treasurer, Susan Kirtley now as Corresponding Secretary, Dallas Manning as Social Chair and our not quite yet retiring president, Luisa Pliska as Parliamentarian. New on the board is Ellen Smith as Recording Secretary. Ellen is a long time member who took over the coordination of Thora’s Thimbles last year.

 You can read more about the board members on our PAA website, www.paloaltoauxiliary.com.  Our blogs, newsletters and events will also be listed on the website and updated frequently.

 
Together we hope to carry on PAA’s fine tradition of service to LPCH, but we would also like to look to the future in hopes of increasing contributions from our auxiliary in both time and money probably by increasing events and membership.
 
Our general meetings will be listed on the website but are planned as in the past on the third Tuesdays. The next is February 18^th at 1 PM at Lucie Stern Center in Palo Alto.  We will welcome Kristen Beckler, a Child Life Specialist at LPCH as our speaker. If you haven’t been in a while why not come and hear what she has to say. Bring a friend, all are welcome.

 We want to welcome new members but also to welcome new ideas as our auxiliary changes and grows. We are proud of the long tradition but know that pride is not enough to carry us forward. Let’s see if all of us can find a spirit of renewal and make this a year to remember.

 
Sarah and Nancy

We have embraced and enhanced the art of giving....

January 13, 2014

Good morning, Dear Members,

Because the flu and subsequent illness had taken "the wind out of my sails" I was unable to post a blog for awhile.  However, I would like to share some news with you all in this my last blog as your president and report on how we have met our goals for 2013.

First, I must tell you how thrilled I am that we will have two young, extremely talented and capable women as our co-presidents in 2014, Nancy Larssen and Sarah Beetem. It will be a grand year!

I don't have words adequate enough to thank my incredible Board.  Each one has joyfully given so much time and energy not only in their duties as Board members but in taking on major roles in our fund raising efforts and our hearts and hands projects.    Some have been on my Board for the past three years and I can't thank them enough.

Also, thank you, dear members, for the fine work you have done.  3 years ago I said we were an ageless, vibrant, undaunted and fun group.  We still are - even more so.  Often I have told you what an outstanding group of women you are and how I wish you could see yourselves through my eyes.  Yes, I am a positive thinker but I am not a Pollyanna.  I know our strengths and weaknesses.  And our skills and abilities in so many areas along with our work ethic and true dedication far outweigh our weaknesses.

As I review this past year and the accomplishments, changes and transitions we have made you will see how we, although small in number, have grown and continue to be a strong and dedicated PAA.

RECRUIT MEMBERS:  Cathy Murphy, Haydee Navarro-Marshall and Ginger Wilson have joined us this past year. We are so fortunate to have them.
SELL REMAINING COOKBOOKS:  We have sold and will continue to sell.
SUPPORT EXISTING FUND RAISING PROJECTS: We did this and despite higher expenses  had success in each endeavor.
WORK TOGETHER WITH SISTER AUXILIARIES ON AFFILIATE PROGRAMS:
- Our pilot program with the Teen Van Kits was so successful it has become the Teen Health Van Affiliate supported by all auxiliaries.
- We have become involved with the:
- Beads of Courage Affiliate,
- the Reach Out and Read Affiliate (now known as Reading Buddies) and
- the Packard Pantry Affiliate of which I am co-chair.
SCHEDULE SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS FOR GENERAL MEETINGS:
- The Tour of the outstanding Medical Mock up building
- Dr. Ammerman from the Teen Health Van
- Kevin Danie from the Hospital School
- Jack Komejan from the Transplant Camp (unfortunately, he had to cancel at the last minute)
- Social Services representative to speak about Packard Pantry's service to families (we ran out of meeting days to schedule him. Perhaps next year)
POST BLOG TWICE A MONTH:  This I did not accomplish - Could only find time to do once a month.
COMPLETE REVISIONS OF BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES:
This we did complete and they are now in the hands of the Association for review.

You know it's a poor sort of memory that only looks backward.  We have taken the best of our memories to build a strong presence and ensure a grand future.  With our new younger members this year we developed a cross-generational panorama of exceptional women and I am so proud to have been your president these past three years.

When all is said and done, you have embraced and enhanced the art of giving and I thank you for that. 

Luisa
P.S.

Because I have a plethora of delightful photos from several of our recent meetings- more than enough photos to fill several blogs, I will have in this blog only some from our Tea. Over these past three years, we have had talented paparazzi.  Many thank you's to Erika Crowley, Stephanie Beach, Shirlee Stites and Deborah Potash.  Photos will be organized and placed in Shirlee's photo gallery to become part of our archives.

Our lovely buffet                   Roger Potash (aka) Mr. Deborah Potash & Nancy Bronstein      Cathy Murphy - new member

                

                                              Luisa Pliska with Ginger Wilson & Audrey Polster

Dr. Alexander                                 Victoria Applegate & Tara Quinn       Betty Plemons,Stephanie Beach & June Schiller

                                                              Deborah Potash
 Barbara McCall & Erika Crowley     
Erika Crowley & Mary Hicks                                                                                           Acle Hicks (aka Mr. Mary Hicks)

 
                                                            David Squellati  (aka Mr. Kathy Squellati)

                                                Margaret Robinson celebrating 49 years of Service

Here we are together again...

October 1, 2013

Good morning, Dear Members,

Here we are together again in the midst of our important yearly fund raising events and general meetings.  All paid members have been sent a card stock "bookmark" listing all the activities for the rest of the year. I have listed those dates below with the following additions. We have just had confirmation from our guest speaker at the Nov. 19th general membership meeting at Lucie Stern Community Center.  Jack Komejan, LCSW, will share the overall work of the LPCH Social Services Department as well as the Transplant camp (which we funded) and the magnificent work of our newly formed Packard Pantry Affiliate. Also, please note that the October 8th Thora's Thimbles will not be meeting this month.  Our pillow ladies have made more than enough pillows ready to be delivered when needed.  Please mark your calendar.

Oct 8 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP (will not meet this month)
Oct 14 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Oct 15 - Annual Membership Tea & Mtg @ at Arrillaga Family Rec Center, Menlo Park 1-3:00pm
OCT. 25-26 - AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW
Oct. 28-29 - RWH at Quinto Sol, Redwood City
Nov 11 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Nov 12 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
Nov 19-20 - RWH at Creola, San Carlos
Nov 19 - General Mtg @ at Lucie Stern Community Ctr PA
Dec. 7 - Holiday Boutique, Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park
Dec 9 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Dec 10 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
JAN. 21,2014 - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON - UNIVERSITY CLUB, PALO ALTO

I must thank Kathy Squellati for handling and attending three different meetings for me while I was away. One could not ask for a better Vice President!  For those who were unable to attend the September General Meeting here are some highlights:  Dr. Ammerman presented details on his program, The Teen Health Van, Marilyn Rogers, Chair of our American Girl Fashion Show reported on the exciting plans coming to fruition for October 25th and 26th.  Volunteers are still needed for various jobs. If you would like to volunteer please call Nancy Larsson (650)967-4384. There are many jobs that still need helpers. Sharon Brugos asks for donations for our Holiday Boutique on December 7th. Mary Hicks presented an exquisite menu for our Annual Tea on October 15 and asked for volunteers interested in preparing food. Nancy Bronstein shared news that Anna Henderson from Allied Arts Auxiliary will be chairing the THV Affiliate program which will consist of 3 projects: 1.Clothing, 2. Toiletry Kits and 3 Food, beverages and gift cards.

EXCITING NEWS:  B.J. Sorenson presented the Nominating Committee's proposed slate of officers for PAABoard position for 2014:  CO-PRESIDENTS: Sarah Beetem and Nancy Larsson; 1st VP:  Stephanie Beach;  Recording Secretary:  Ellen Smith;  Corresponding Secretary:  Susan Kirtley;  Treasurer:  June Schiller;    Hospitality:  Dallas Manning.

This is a wonderful slate of officers. Thank you to each one who accepted the position. This slate will be voted on at the Membership Tea.
                                     
ASSOCIATION NEWS:
Roth Auxiliary will be having complimentary gift personalization at the Gift Shop on October 8 and 23 when you purchase an item of $10 or more. Charter's next Rummage Sale at 1228 Douglas Ave. in Redwood City is schedule for October 28-29.  San Jose's 41st annual Pumpkin Patch Boutique will be held October 12, 9am-3pm at 1st Congregational Church, 1980 Hamilton Ave. in San Jose.(we will be selling our cookbook there) San Francisco's Jewel Ball will be held Nov.9 at the Four Seasons in S.F. Allied Arts Guild will hold there Holiday Market on December 7th (we will be selling our unique handmade items and our cookbook there)

REACH OUT AND READ AFFILIATE is up and running successfully. They are still accepting volunteers interested.

As co-chair of the PACKARD PANTRY AFFILIATE I am thrilled to report to you our results from 5/9/13 through 8/22/13.  Since May 2013, the Packard Pantry Affiliate has delivered groceries for Packard patient families staying at the Hospital or Ronald McDonald House, while their children receive medial treatment. These figures demonstrate the Affiliate's significant impact:
Number of Groceries Deliveries:  7 days
Number of Grocery Bags Packed:  105
Number of Pounds of Food Distributed:  2,632
Number of Families Served:  99
Number of Persons Served:  280
Number of Volunteer Hours:  48 hours, including 7 training hours
Number of Volunteer Slots Covered:  25
Number of New Affiliate Volunteers:  13
Number of Trained New Shoppers:  7
Needless to say we need more volunteers - to date we have had volunteers from the following auxiliaries: Allied Arts, San Jose, San Mateo/Burlingame, San Francisco and of course, Palo Alto.
I am so proud of all these people but especially our members.  We are so incredibly busy at this time of year with our own fund raising events that it showcases the magnificent strength and dedication of our members. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Once the New Year is upon us I hope many of you will donate just one day for Packard Pantry.

Should you be interested in volunteering for either of these affiliate projects go to associationofauxiliaries.ivolunteer.com/ or contact me 650-593-9334.  These are truly feel-good projects.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS:
When I returned from New York I learned that Malkah Carothers' husband, Donald passed away on September 12th at the age of 83. A memorial service was held on September 28th.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Malkah and her family.  A donation will be made to LPCH in his memory.

 OUR HONOREES TO BE HONORED AT THE TEA:                                                               
                                                                                                                               
15 Years          Stephanie Beach                                             
                        Dora Fergason                                                 
                                                                                                                               
20 Years          Sharon Brugos
                                                                                                       
25 Years          Marjorie Ford                                                                            
                                                                                                                                  
30 Years          Ginny Lee                                                                                    
                        Gail Sachs
                         Idonna Snow                                                    
                                                                                                                                 
35 Years          Erika Crowley
                        Barbara McCall
                        Cille Emery

40 Years          Henrietta Ferry
                        Marcie Freeman
                        Margie Harrington
                        Maureen Roskoph
                        Barbara Moll
                        Eleanor Settle

45 Years          Dee Cunningham         
                        Deedee McMurtry
                        Betty Plemons
                        Norene Scholz

50 Years          Phyllis Austin
                         Betty Peterson-Brawner
                         Ceci Britton
                         B.J. Sorensen

51 Years          Helen Smith

55 Years          Rita Benedict
                        Beverly Bulmore
                        Rita Chaput
                        Shirlee Stites
                        
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Nancy Bronstein, Sue Ellen Naugler, Luisa Pliska

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Sarah Beetem, Jane Bradley, Ellen Latour, Gerry Nelson, Marilyn Slater, Karen Stevens, Karen Sutherland, Kay Willoughby

These upcoming months are packed with our fund raising events that need so much of our time and talents.  We know that money enables us to make a difference in the lives of the needy children and families at LPCH. However, all our non-money making projects give much more than money and those projects are thriving.  Thank you all for your hard work and joyful participation.  We are indeed women of substance with the power to make a difference.

Luisa

You are the voice and image of PAA

August 1, 2013

Good morning, Dear Members -

As usual, there is much news to share but first please mark your calendar.  I have included all dates for the rest of the year. (You all, also, should have received a Event Calendar bookmark to put where it will be a gentle reminder.) Note the change in the American Girl dates.  (I will explain why in the body of this blog.)

Aug 26-27 - RWH Scott's Seafood, Palo Alto
Sept 9 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Sept 10 - Thora's Thimbles, no meeting this month
Sept 17 - General Mtg @ Lucie Stern Community Ctr PA 
SPEAKER DR. AMMERMAN, DIR. TEEN HEALTH VAN
Sept 23-24 - RWH at Renzo Cafe, Palo Alto
Oct 8 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
Oct 14 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Oct 15 - Annual Membership Tea & Mtg @ at Arrillaga Family Rec Center, Menlo Park 
OCT. 25-26 - AMERICAN GIRL FASHION SHOW
Oct. 28-29 - RWH at Quinto Sol, Redwood City 
Nov 11 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Nov 12 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
Nov 18-19 - RWH at Creola, San Carlos
Nov 19 - General Mtg @ at Lucie Stern Community Ctr PA
Dec. 7 - Holiday Boutique, Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park
Dec 9 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Dec 10 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
JAN. 21,2014 - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON - UNIVERSITY CLUB, PALO ALTO

Thank you to all who attended our June meeting and to those who sent in their proxy.  We covered a great deal and I thank you for your wise decisions.  You know, those of you who attend the meetings are the voice and image of PAA and you drive the direction of the Palo Alto Auxiliary.  So, again - thank you.

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE VOTING RESULTS AT THE JUNE MEETING:
BYLAWS:  After due discussion, the membership voted to accept the changes to the Bylaws and Standing Rules as presented.
TEEN VAN KITS:  Our Teen Van Kit pilot project has proven itself very successful.  Since the Association has not yet found a chairperson for the Teen Health Van Kit project, the membership voted to continue the PAA Teen Kit project as originally planned with Nancy Bronstein as chair of the project which will have 10 kits ready each month. This is the plan until we hear differently from the Association.
BUY A BRICK:  The membership also approved a $1000.00 donation to donate a 4"x 8"brick with 2 lines of text, with 23 characters each.  The bricks will line two community paths at the corner of Welch and Quarry Roads. The donated bricks are scheduled to be installed in the fall of 2016 prior to the new buiilding's grand opening. I invite you all to send in your recommendations as to what should be inscribed in the Palo Alto Auxiliary brick.  Imagine we will be immortalized in stone for all to see!!

Please take note that Dr. Ammerman will be our speaker on Sept 17, Also on the agenda is some exciting news from the Nominating Committee. They are prepared to present a slate of officers for 2013!  Please make every effort to be there. 

Our American Girl Fashion Show and Tea dates has been changed to October 25 and 26 because theAmerican Girl Corporation will be opening a store where Talbots used to be in the Stanford Shopping Center.  They will have their grand opening on Friday, November 15th. The good news is that they will donate their proceeds for that day to LPCH. 

Marilyn Rogers, our talented, high energy AGFS project coordinator, still needs many volunteers for various jobs. This is our grand fund raiser which is successful because so many of us sign up to help.  Please make every effort to volunteer for a job - big or small. Marilyn's phone number in the directory is incorrect.  Her correct number is 650-941-2918.  She needs and welcomes your participation.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS
I have sad news to share with you.  I had called Jacqui Clark to see how she was doing since the passing of her husband.  She said she is looking forward to becoming active again with PAA but was going in for a double by-pass operation the next day.  On June 11th her daughter called and said Jacqui had passed away that morning. Marge Meaher lost her husband, Thomas, in July and Adrienne Bennet's husband, Hammish, passed away on August 2 after a long illness.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.  Adrienne sent a lovely note thanking us for all our cards and condolences and looks forward to returning to more PAA activities.

I do have good news to share - we have a wonderful new member, Cathy Murphy.  Cathy is a friend of Kathy Squellati's.  She has magic in her fingers and attended our delightful Thora's Thimbles meetings. She will be at our membership meeting on the 17th so you will have the opportunity to welcome her.
I also just heard from a former Wednesday girl, Ginny Wilson.  Erika Crowley recently saw her and learned that Ginny had retired and encouraged her to become involved again. I sent her a welcome- back note explaining all the projects and events in which she might be interested.
I - too have good news.  On Sunday, Sept. 1 my son Greg and daughter-in-law, Jessica had a baby boy (one month early) So, the first Pliska grandson has arrived! Because of his early arrival and because my 7 house guests have recently left after a wonderful two weeks - my calendar has been altered and I had to rush to get this blog done before I leave.  I will be leaving for New York early tomorrow morning and I apologize for the scarcity of news.  However,you will hear more about the Packard Pantry and other pertinent Association news at the membership meeting.  Until then....

BELATED BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Sharon Brugos
Mildred Chin
Inge Crozier
Marge Ford
Sue Moore
Gail Sachs
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
Kay Wangelin
Adrienne Bennet
Malkah Carothers
Sally Bush

Many thank you's to those who contact me with your suggestions, concerns and news you wish to share.  You know I always appreciate hearing from you.

Luisa

PAA is at its finest when......

PAA is at its finest when....

Good morning, Dear Members,
There is much news to share.  So I will be writing two blogs this June -  but first, please mark your calendars for June, July and August.
June 10 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
June 11 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSV
June 18 - General Mtg @ at Arrillaga Family Recreation Center 1-3:00pm
June 24-25 - RWH at Mythos, San Carlos
July 8 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
July 9 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
July 23-24 - RWH at Iron Gate, San Carlos
Aug 12 - Board Mtg @ 400 Hamilton, PA
Aug 13 - Thora's Thimbles, Stephanie Beach's home 9:30 am. RSVP
Aug 26-27 - RWH Scott's Seafood, Palo Alto

OUR LAST MEETING BEFORE THE SUMMER HIATUS:
On June 18th we have our very important general meeting at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 600Alma Street in Menlo Park. All of you had received copies of the Bylaws and Standing Rules changes before the May 21st meeting.  They were also presented at that meeting.  On June 18th we will take a vote on those changes.  A great deal of time and effort has been put into updating and refreshing our bylaws and standing rules to reflect who we are and what we do now.  All changes were done to make us "user friendly" and encourage new members. It is very important that you be there. We will be in the little Oak Room off the lovely patio from 1-3:00pm.  It is a full agenda since this is our last meeting before the summer hiatus. There is much to talk about.

KEVIN DANIE VISITS WITH US:
On May 21st Kevin Danie, the head teacher at Packard Children's in-house school visited with us. He spoke of how the school provides a public education at the primary, intermediate and secondary education levels not only for the patients but also for their siblings.  In so doing, they maintain a sense of normalcy in the patients' lives as well as assisting them with staying current in their school work. He is a delightful speaker and not only informed us of the many programs offered but also showed us how far reaching their program is - in that what they do is shared with other hospitals across the nation.






Those of us who were there thoroughly                                                                                  appreciated Kevin's presentation.  A small token                                    
representing a great big thank you to him was a                                                                                                                                                 
 certificate for dinner for two at the RwH of his
 choice and a copy of our  cookbook"Tastes, Tales and Traditions."





THE PACKARD PANTRY AFFILIATE
PAA, at its finest, unites the excitement of the new with the best of what has come before.  We have always had that ability to share memorable moments while embracing what comes next.  Coming next is this Packard Pantry project.  Yet another way to help the children.  It is not a fund raiser like our American Girl Event, Restaurants with Heart, Tastes,Tales and Traditions or the Holiday Boutique. But it is a worthy enough endeavor to join our "hands and hearts"projects.  Thora's Thimbles, Tote Bags and Teen Kits do not raise funds but fill such an important need for LPCH patients and staff.  This is also a project that involves all the auxiliaries, friends who may wish to help just once or twice and anyone from the community.

27 of us signed up to learn more about the Packard Pantry.  In my April Blog I gave you a description of what it was all about and we discussed it at the May meeting.  I will briefly reiterate a little of that to refresh your memory.  

Many of the very sick children at LPCH are here for a long time before and after any major surgery.  There are parents who have to take unpaid leave from work to be with their child and often have to bring their other children with them. Thus, incurring the added burden of travel expense, housing and meals.  We partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank to assemble bags of food to be given to those families identified by the LPCH social services department as being in need.

I attended the Volunteer Orientation meeting at Second Harvest.  The room was packed with people from all walks of life with one mutual reason to be there - to learn the policy and procedures of Second Harvest so they could bring food to very needy people and agencies.  I was so proud to be among so fine a group of people. You would have been as well had you been there.

Policies and procedures for 3 volunteer positions were developed and on May 9th, those of us involved with the planning,Toni Paterson, Victoria Applegate, Tara Quinn, Missy Ryan and I did the first trial run. It went very well. Of course, there is still some refinement and I would imagine with input from all of you, other improvements will be made as we go along.

May 23rd was the first run with Auxiliary members who were not involved with planning. I'm delighted to report that one of the two members first to sign up was our very own Kathy Squellati.  Anna Henderson, from Allied Arts Guild Auxiliary was the other.  Anna brought along her camera and graciously allowed me to use her photos.

Briefly, I will explain the 3 volunteer options.  You can sign up for once a year or twice or as often as you wish.  Also, other volunteers from auxiliaries, the community, or friends you know who want to help just once in awhile are more than welcome.  With an increase in numbers we should end up only having to volunteer once or twice a year!

This is such an easy, enjoyable way to meet new volunteers, the LPCH staff and to help these needy families.  We are not all as altruistic as we would like to be.  Yes, we want to help our patients and their families but a big part of our giving is that we feel so good in so doing.  This is truly a "feel good" project.

Our Packard Pantry days are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.  Time commitment for all volunteer options is about two hours (not including travel time) 

 

PICK UP AND DELIVER volunteer option:                                    
At 9:00am you are to be at 2nd Harvest Food Bank in San Carlos to pick up our pre-ordered groceries,
You will "shop" in the warehouse for additional specified items.  At least one person in this group must have attended the Orientation Program which is a 1 hour meeting and tour at Second Harvest Food Bank. Our order will fit in one med-sized car.  The SHFB staff will help you load up.  Then off to LPCH to meet the volunteer "Packers"waiting for us at 10:00am with the little red wagons to help us unload and bring the food to the cafeteria. You are then free to leave.

PACKERS Volunteer option:
At 9:45am you will check in at the lobby information desk for security clearance photo. Proceed to the cafeteria to confirm that 4 tables have been reserved for us. Then return to the lobby at 10:00am to help the Pick Up and Deliver volunteers unload their car, place the foodstuffs in the red wagons and transport the items to the cafeteria. Place the food on the tables in an assembly line fashion.

There you will pack 15 2-person bags. At 11:00am you will call Social Services and inform them that the bags are ready for pick up. Remain with the bags until they come.  Then recycle boxes and dispose of trash.  Return wagons to the lobby and you are free to go feeling ever so good about what you have just accomplished.
                                                                               

PICK UP, DELIVER AND PACK  volunteer option:
(this includes both of the above options.)
 At 9:00am you are to be at 2nd Harvest Food Bank in San Carlos to pick up our pre-ordered groceries,You will "shop" in the warehouse for additional specified items.  At least one person in this group must have attended the Orientation Program which is a 1 hour meeting and tour at Second Harvest Food Bank. Our order will fit in one med-sized car. The SHFB staff will help you load up.

At 10:00am you will deliver the order to the front entrance at LPCH.  There you will be met by the "Packers"waiting for us at 10:00am with the little red wagons to help you unload.

Then go park your car and return to LPCH to pack the bags.  You must first check in at the lobby information desk and get your security clearance photo. Then proceed to the cafeteria to help assemble the bags.  Once completed, call social security. Wait until they come to pick up the bags. Recycle boxes and dispose of trash in nearby bins.  You are then free to go and feeling very good about what you have just accomplished.

TWO WAYS TO SIGN UP:

FOR THOSE WHO PREFER TO SIGN UP ON LINE: 

Go to    http://associationofauxiliaries.ivolunteer.com/packardpantryaffiliate

the password is:  pantry

There are 3 signup tabs: 

1st tab is for those who wish PickUp (at Second Harvest Food Bank), Deliver to LPCH AND Pack the bags in the LPCH cafeteria. 

2nd tab is for those who only wish to Pick Up (at Second Harvest Food Bank) and Deliver the food to LPCH.

3rd tab is for those who only wish to Pack the food at LPCH.

ONLY SIGN UP UNDER ONE OF THOSE TABS ON THE DAY YOU PREFER TO WORK.

You can come back any day you wish and volunteer under other tabs but only one tab for each day.

Once you have signed up you will receive confirmation and the Volunteer Policy and more detailed information,

FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT SIGN UP ON LINE:

Please contact me at 650- 593-9334 or email me at luisapliska@comcast.net

Below are the scheduled Packard Pantry work dates - please choose your preferred day(s) and put it/them on your calendar:

May 23, Jun 13, No June 27 (Second Harvest Food Bank is closed for inventory) July 11,

July 25, August 8, August 22, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 24, Nov. 14, Nov.28, Dec.12

Dear members - because the Bylaws voting and this Packard Pantry information is so time-sensitive I had to make this blog rather long.  I am sorry.  However, I will be posting another June Blog (short one!) next week with more news for you.  We will also have project reports at the June 18th meeting at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center.

Until then, thank you for all that you do, continue to do and do so well for PAA's contribution to the Children's Hospital.  

See you on the 18th.

Luisa