Orthopaedic Hospital | The Crippled Children's Guild

As the first Orthopaedic Hospital Support Group, the Crippled Children's Guild was founded in 1911 in support of Dr. Charles LeRoy Lowman's pioneering care for crippled conditions. Since then, it has given more than $9 million to Orthopaedic Hospital, and has made the future better by helping children and strengthening orthopaedic programs at the Hospital. The Guild and its energetic Auxiliaries focus their attention on ensuring that crippled children get the medical care they need to get the most out of life, continuing the legacy of hope and promise left by Dr. Lowman. Since the Guild began, no child has ever been turned away from Orthopaedic Hospital for financial reasons.

The Guild has given thousands of volunteer hours to patient care and service at Orthopaedic Hospital. Among its many activities, the Guild operates the It's A Bargain Thrift Shop located on the Hospital campus.

Guild Auxiliaries

The Auxiliaries of the Crippled Children's Guild include the following:

La Canada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild

Organized in 1957, the La Canada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild's major annual event is the Book and Author Luncheon. Additionally, Christmas gifts are collected at annual yuletide parties and given to young patients at Orthopaedic Hospital's International Children's Program.

Members reside in the La Canada-Flintridge, Pasadena and Glendale areas. Many members volunteer at the Hospital, and monthly meetings are held at members' homes. The group has contributed more than $480,000 to the mission of Orthopaedic Hospital.

Las Amigas de Las Lomas

This year marks the 50th anniversary of serving the needs of children at Orthopaedic Hospital! Las Amigas de Las Lomas was founded in 1957 by F. Helen Parker who was then president of the Crippled Childrens Guild.

Las Amigas' main fundraiser is an annual three-day English horse show, which is traditionally held the third weekend in July at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Las Amigas de Las Lomas has raised nearly $1,000,000 since its founding in 1957.

Members reside in the Palos Verdes area, where monthly meetings are held at members' homes. Members may volunteer at the Hospital. Reciprocal membership is available with Las Madrecitas and Las Ninas for mothers and daughters.

For more information on Las Amigas de Las Lomas, please visit the website at http://www.lasamigasdelaslomas.org

Las Madrecitas

Founded in 1956, Las Madrecitas is a unique mother-daughter organization that has contributed $2 million to Orthopaedic Hospital. Fundraising activities are held year-round, culminating in the annual Las Madrecitas Evergreen Ball in January, where daughters from Las Madrecitas and Las Amigas are formally presented.

Members are generally from the Palos Verdes area, where monthly meetings are held, and many members volunteer at the Hospital.

For more information on Las Madrecitas, please visit the website at http://www.lasmadrecitas.com

Las Ninas de Las Madrecitas

Comprised of daughters of Las Madrecitas and Las Amigas de Las Lomas members, Las Ninas involves young women who are high school students and work to meet Orthopaedic Hospital and community service volunteer hour commitments. Projects include an annual fundraising fashion show and luncheon in March, ski trips and annual holiday candy sales. Members also make items such as stuffed animals for the Hospital's young patients. Since its founding in 1965, the group has raised more than $350,000.

Las Ninas are required to volunteer for the International Children's Program, as well as at the Hospital and within their Palos Verdes community. Monthly meetings are held at members' homes.

For more information on Las Ninas de Las Madrecitas, please visit the website at http://worknotes.com/CA/RPV/LasNinas/index.html

Las Vecinas

Las Vecinas was organized in 1966 to support the International Children's Program Valley Orthopaedic Clinic in Calexico, California. Besides volunteering their time at the clinic, auxiliary members raise funds through their thrift shop, fashion show, plant and bake sales, bazaars and drawings. Members live in the Imperial Valley.

For more information on the Crippled Children's Guild and its Auxiliaries, please call the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation at (213) 742-1500.

Continue: The League for Crippled Children

Thrift Shop workers and a volunteer examine new pieces

"It's a Bargain" Thrift Shop is operated by The Crippled Children's Guild.

Horse jumping at the horse show, a fundraising event operated by Las Amigas de Las Lomas

Horse jumping at the annual horse show event operated by Las Amigas de Las Lomas