Orthopaedic Hospital | The League for Crippled Children

Established in 1936, the League for Crippled Children raises millions of dollars to assist Orthopaedic Hospital's mission of providing charity medical care for children. The League is well known for its Jack O'Lantern Ball held in October - an annual event that eventually enabled the League and its Auxiliaries to create a $1 million endowment fund that makes world-class orthopaedic medical treatment a reality for hundreds of needy children.

The League has more than 30 members from throughout the Los Angeles area who contribute their time, effort, care and concern to Orthopaedic Hospital's mission. Monthly board meetings are held at the Hospital, and quarterly full-membership meetings are held at various restaurants throughout Los Angeles.

League Auxiliaries

The Auxiliaries for the League for Crippled Children include the following:

Pinafores of the League for Crippled Children

For more than 50 years, children from 1st through 8th grade and their parents have participated in the Pinafores, a parent-child organization that brings joy and comfort to patients of all ages. Learning to help others while volunteering and having fun is the primary goal of the Pinafores, in which children learn independently about social responsibility, conducting meetings, fundraising, and making their own decisions in planning parties and activities for patients.

The Pinafores meet monthly at Orthopaedic Hospital, where they make tray favors and visit hospitalized children. The Pinafores distribute presents to patients during the holidays, host an annual Spring Fling event, and maintain a pen pal program. Members of the Pinafores graduate to become Juniors of the League for Crippled Children.

Juniors of the League for Crippled Children

The Juniors is a parent-child group that channels the energy of high school teens into helping the pediatric patients at Orthopaedic Hospital. The Juniors meet monthly throughout the school year and enjoy visiting the children and patients at Orthopaedic Hospital's Calexico clinic on various weekends throughout the year.

The Professionals of the League for Crippled Children

The Professionals is a group of professional young women who meet one evening a month at Orthopaedic Hospital. They sponsor a series of fundraising events each year, including holiday card sales and teas, and volunteer their support to the Jack O'Lantern Ball.

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

Continue: Other Support Groups

Members of The League for Crippled Children meet at the cornerstone of the Phoebe Brockway Rehabilitation Building after their final board meeting in the building on December 6, 2006. From left are Margaret Ann Holshauer (a member since 1982), Sandra Moore (1995), Ruth Wagner (1966), India Rance (1983), Audrey Hollander (1962), Marge Ahern (1981), Rose Roth (1983) and Portia Adams (1978).