Auxiliaries
The Auxiliaries are an active and strong support group for the Women’s Board and hospital. With 200+ members of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, they make vital contributions to fundraising, volunteering, and public relations, raising over $60,000 each year to benefit Jefferson Abington Hospital, including targeted giving programs. Auxilians offer their time and talents to events within their auxiliaries and participate in Women’s Board events and committees.
Each auxiliary is a self-contained group that elects its own officers, including a chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer, at its annual meeting. Every group is unique in its size, demographic, meeting schedule, and menu of fundraising events and social activities. All active auxiliaries are welcoming new membership.
Mission Statement
As stated in the bylaws of the Women’s Board, the function of the auxiliaries is to assist the Women’s Board in fulfilling its mission of meeting the healthcare needs of the community by raising funds for targeted giving and furthering public relations.
- Raising funds through a variety of special events and established projects for the primary purpose of raising funds for areas of need within the hospital.
- Volunteering time, special skills, and talents to Women’s Board fundraising efforts and hospital-related services.
- Generating good Public Relations for the hospital through numerous community projects.
The auxiliaries serve subject to the AEC (Auxiliaries Executive Committee), which is governed by the Women’s Board.
What can an auxiliary member expect to derive from her experience?
The opportunity to...
- Help others and contribute to the community
- Apply talents in a new setting
- Learn new skills
- Make new friendships
- Support a cause
- Be part of something so much bigger than herself
Abbie Auxiliary
The Abbie Auxiliary was formed during the spring of 2010. This group of women offers members an opportunity to support Jefferson Abington Hospital through fundraising, friendship, and community outreach. Members are encouraged to support and attend annual Women’s Board and Auxiliary events.
The Abbie Auxiliary hosts a fall and a spring fundraiser for targeted giving initiatives. These fundraisers have supported the NICU, several pieces of new equipment for the PT/OT/Speech Therapy departments, Corinne Santerian Newborn Center, Hartnett Health, nursing scholarships, and much more. In addition, the Abbies get together for several social gatherings throughout the year. With the extremely successful Craft Night and Passport to Wine events in 2022 and 2023, the Abbie Auxiliary continues to creatively enhance fundraising activities.
The auxiliary is active from September to May and is eager to welcome new members each year. Meetings are held monthly on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m.
Dickens Auxiliary
The Dickens Auxiliary has historical importance, having been named in honor of Dr. Helen O. Dickens, the first African American woman to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology in Philadelphia. As women of color, the auxiliary’s primary purpose is to lend their expertise and passion for volunteerism to support Jefferson Abington Hospital.
The auxiliary is comprised of a diverse group of women from various geographical areas who enjoy supporting their community through voluntary efforts at the hospital. The Dr. Helen O. Dickens Auxiliary began in 2002 with a commitment of 52 women. Membership is now close to 100! Members’ ages range from 35 to 97+ years young.
The Dickens Auxiliary has raised over $175,000 in support of programs and initiatives at Jefferson Abington Hospital including the Image Recovery Center at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Asplundh Cancer Pavilion, Cleary Center for Newborn Wellness, Corinne Santerian Newborn Center, Save Your Souls Podiatry, nursing scholarships, and much more.
The auxiliary meets five times a year, every other month, from September to May, gathering at designated sites or via virtual meetings. Each meeting begins with specific agenda items followed by a social activity and may include a program speaker.
Moreland Auxiliary
The Moreland Auxiliary was formed in October of 2008. Our programs, social functions, and fundraisers appeal to women interested in volunteering in the community, creating lasting friendships, and supporting various Women’s Board events that benefit Jefferson Abington Hospital.
Our current annual fundraising event is a Designer Bag Bingo. It is held in February each year and has proven to be a successful fundraiser for us. Past events have supported Safe Harbor, the Corinne Santerian Newborn Center, the OBGYN Center, Behavioral Health Center, NICU, and SAFE Center. All monies raised stay within the Abington community.
The Moreland Auxiliary meets five times a year. To accommodate today’s busy lifestyles and many of our members’ work schedules, our meetings are held either at 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. They usually consist of a short business agenda followed by an activity. Past activities have included cooking lessons, wreath making, wine glass painting, flower arranging, and more.
Suburban Auxiliary
The Suburban Auxiliary was formed in 1986 and consists of a diverse group of approximately 50 women who are mostly retired and enjoy volunteering.
The Suburban Auxiliary members run two to three major fundraising events per year, as well as participate in annual holiday gift giving and lobby sales at the hospital. Proceeds from major fundraisers go to targeted giving programs selected by members each year. Past recipients have included The Metastatic Breast Cancer Retreat, a new program of the Asplundh Cancer Center; Hartnett Health Services, which provides care for an underserved population in the community; a dental clinic, which provides care for an underserved population in the community; Ethics for Lunch, an educational program; and various needs for behavioral health. In addition, members are encouraged to support and attend annual Women’s Board events that support Jefferson Abington Hospital.
The auxiliary holds approximately three meetings per year either at a member’s home or at the hospital in conjunction with a hospital unit tour or lecture of interest.
Interested in joining an auxiliary or learning more?
Please call the office at 215-481-2500 or email us at ahf-womensboard@jefferson.edu.