It all began with the vision of a group of mothers working with the Religious of the Sacred Heart, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in 1966. An important component in providing the Center with assistance and financial support, the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary is also celebrating its Golden Anniversary this year, with a few active members that have been there since the beginning.
It all began with the vision of a group of mothers working with the Religious of the Sacred Heart, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in 1966. An important component in providing the Center with assistance and financial support, the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary is also celebrating its Golden Anniversary this year, with a few active members that have been there since the beginning.
At the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary 50th Golden Anniversary Luncheon at the Sycuan Golf Resort on June 1, Auxiliary members gathered together to celebrate 50 years of service and to install its 2016-2017 Auxiliary Officers.
Auxiliary Outgoing President Lisa Carle began the celebration by wishing a happy anniversary to both the Center and the supporting Auxiliary. She said together, the Auxiliary shared much history and incredible experiences and speaking about her son reiterated the importance that the Center means not only to the Auxiliary, but the community.
“My son Christian, for example, has gained many skills that he will use to work and I know that he is in a safe and nurturing environment.”
She further went on to echo the Auxiliary’s purpose in generously supporting St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and its students. “With that great effort, for the past 50 years and the next 50 years our common cause remains strong and steadfast than ever. With the now more than 400 individuals with developmental disabilities at the Center, we the Auxiliary say, ‘Thank you to you,’” she said.
Carle said it has has been a great honor to work with the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Auxiliary as president over the past three years with such wonderful and warm individuals that make a great team that is “dedicated, high energy and generous beyond belief.”
“We have introduced many first kind events. Bottom line, we have all worked successfully together to fulfill our true ultimate purpose,” she said.
She credited the Auxiliary as a team for its innovative fundraising efforts over the past year with its signature and new events such as Blast from the Past fundraiser, the first evening mixer so more parents of students could get to know the Auxiliary members, sponsoring the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Golf Tournament, Haute with Heart Fashion show and Morning Glory Brunch. Carle said this not only supported the Center and the students, but also increased the Auxiliary’s active members.
The Auxiliary found a new ways to help St. Madeleine by generating a wish list of items needed by the Center in various areas. Thanks to our supporters the Center received everything from TVs to microwaves to art supplies for classes. “From these grander specialty events to our smaller ongoing activities we will always be there for these deserving students,” said Carle.
Auxiliary Treasurer Janet Lawson, an active member since 1986 and one of last year’s Honorary Members said that the Auxiliary provided a grand total of $47,695 this past year, and as of June 1, the Auxiliary has raised $959,831 in donations to the Center since 1966. This is
“This year if we are very lucky we need to raise $40,169 to reach $1 million in total contributions,” said Lawson.
Lawson happily presented St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Board President Alison Cummings with a check for $20,000 for the 50 Days of Giving fundraiser, $10,000 in donations matched dollar for dollar.
Cummings said she was honored and thrilled to receive the check and stressed the important relationship between the Auxiliary, the Center and its students.
“As Debra (Debra Emerson, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center CEO) says, you as the auxiliary are an important cornerstone of the Center’s success. I was just thinking at the 50th birthday celebration how old you are—as an organization that is. It is amazing how many mothers and members have been with the center for the entire 50 years.”
She said it is amazing how many mothers and members have been with the Center for the entire 50 years.
With the past year’s financials provided to the members, the Auxiliary then installed its 2016-2017 Auxiliary Executive Board.
An active member since 2012, Carole Ryan-Steinauer, who chairs the Ways and Mean Committee and the Bunco Madness Committee, took over as president of the Auxiliary.
Stella Hyde, the new vice-president has been an active member since 2011 and chars the Membership Committee and prints its annual yearbook
Carol Gilmore is maintaining as Recording Secretary for the Executive Board. An active member since 2008, she will receive much need support by Mercy Belasquez, Sharon Esche-Irving and Liz Ravenis.
Rosemarie Murphy, and active member since 1966, serving on many committees retained the position as Corresponding Secretary, and Janet Lawson remains the Auxiliary’s Treasurer.
