Share the Warmth...
by helping the Auxiliary enable more children and adults who are IWS Family Health Center patients to be “Winter Ready.”
This year marks the 15th year that the Auxiliary will sponsor its Fall Coat Drive. And, for the first time, the Auxiliary is partnering with the Warming Project, an initiative that supplies warm, quality winter coats to help charitable organizations such as the IWS Auxiliary.
A donation of $25 covers the cost of one new coat to help families in need navigate the Chicagoland area’s frigid winters.
Donations for coats must be received no later than September 22 to ensure delivery of coats in time for the November Coat Drive.
Supporting the patients of the Infant Welfare Society since 1913.
Who We Are
The mission of the Auxiliary of the IWS Family Health is to provide financial and volunteer support to IWS Family Health, a community health center providing health care to children and families.
Established in 1913, the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago is a non-profit organization comprised of seven chapters located throughout the Chicagoland area. Our more than 500 members give selflessly of their time and talents raising funds and providing volunteer support for the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago (IWS) and the operation of its Angel Harvey Family Health Center (the Center) located at 3600 West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago.
Since its inception, the Auxiliary has donated more than $142 million to IWS and is its largest donor year after year.
We like to describe our chapter members as both “fundraisers” and “friendraisers.” Lifelong bonds are formed among our members, many of whom have worked tirelessly to support the Auxiliary and IWS for decades.
Who We Support
Through revenues raised and patient programs, the Auxiliary exclusively supports the IWS Family Health and the operation of IWS Family Heath located at 3600 West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago.
The Center offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art, bilingual healthcare services to families in the Logan Square community and beyond. Its innovative healthcare model integrates primary medical care, dentistry, optometry, child development and behavioral health services as “Circles of Care” under one roof. The Center ensures barrier-free access to services and provides a multi-service healthcare home to underserved children and their families.
IWS Family Health
From Our Roots We Rise
Services provided at IWS Family Health
How We Serve
Working together, the 500+ Auxiliary members have continued to make a difference in the lives of
IWS Family Health patients. In seven chapters across the greater Chicagoland area, Auxiliary
members are helping IWS meet financial and healthcare industry-related challenges with
purpose—through new and on-going patient programs and fundraising initiatives.
Auxiliary efforts in support of IWS Family Health include:
- Our Annual Coat Drive, which brings warmth to IWS families during cold winters.
- The Angel Baby bags essential items program for moms with newborns.
- Janie’s Kitchen, an on-site food pantry for patient families facing food insecurity.
- Seven major fundraisers, plus an array of mini, micro, and pop-up funding events.
The Auxiliary continues its focus on existing and new programs that foster healthy families and
help build strong communities.
Auxiliary Patient Programs
As the weather turns cold, the Auxiliary, in cooperation with CD One Price Cleaners, sponsors a Coat Drive at the Center. Over 1,472 new and gently used coats, together with hundreds of new hats and gloves, give the gift of warmth to our patients this year. We also pledged 200 Angel Baby Bags filled with newborn essentials to be given to new mothers at the Center.
Fundraising
Whether it is the nationally acclaimed Lake Forest Showhouse, Oak Brook’s “Mistletoe Medley”, Hinsdale’s “Tablescapes”, Clarendon Hills’ “Light Up the Night” or Wheaton-Naperville’s “Playing 4 the Kids Golf and Bridge Event ” our members selflessly devote countless hours to sponsoring events that are not to be missed. Plus, sales of thousands of luminaria by the Clarendon Hills and Wheaton-Naperville chapters are a holiday tradition. These time-honored events raise money and awareness of the important work done by IWS on behalf of its valued patients.
Chapter Activities
Throughout the year, our Chapters supply the Center with items to be donated to IWS’ patients in need. Diapers and a multitude of other baby items, books, bean soup bags, dental kits, lovingly handmade baby hats, blankets and sweaters and Mothers’ Day bags are contributions greatly appreciated by the Center’s families.
