About Us

Mission Statement

The mission of the Auxiliary of IWS Family Health is to provide financial and volunteer support to IWS Family Health.
Established in 1913, the Auxiliary of the IWS Family Health 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 IWS Family Health (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.
Each of the Auxiliary’s seven chapters hosts lively annual fundraising events that are well known and highly anticipated in each community.  Whether it is the nationally acclaimed Lake Forest Showhouse, Oak Brook’s Mistletoe Medley luncheon and fashion show, Hinsdale’s Tablescapes, Clarendon Hills’ Light Up the Night dinner dance or Wheaton-Naperville’s Playing 4 the Kids golf and bridge outing 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 that beautifully illuminate communities each Christmas Eve.  These time-honored events not only raise money, but awareness, too, of the important work done by IWS on behalf of Chicago’s children and their families.
 

In addition to fundraising, our chapters supply the Center with items for patients in need.  Diapers and a multitude of other baby items, books, bean soup bags, children’s dental kits, and hand knitted baby hats and sweaters are contributions greatly appreciated by the Center’s families.  We pledged 200 AngelBaby Bags filled with essential items to be given to new mothers.

Each November, the Auxiliary, in cooperation with CD One Price Cleaners, sponsors a Coat Drive at the Center.  This year 1,472 new and gently used coats, together with hundreds of new hats, scarves and mittens, give the gift of warmth to Chicago’s families.

We like to describe our members as both fundraisers and “friendraisers.”  Our Chapters host social events such as bridge groups, cookie and ornament exchanges, Bunco nights, progressive dinners and wine tastings.  Lifelong bonds have been formed among our members, some of whom have been with us for decades.

Our over 100-year legacy providing both financial support and patient programs to the IWS Family Health is due to the unwavering dedication of our members and supporters.  We are committed to the continuation of touching the lives of the families of IWS’ Angel Harvey Family Health Center in a meaningful way.

 

The Auxiliary at a Glance

Established in 1913 Number of Chapters:  7

Ambassadors-at-Large, Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Mount Prospect, Oak Brook, and Wheaton-Naperville.

Number of Members:  500+

Annual Volunteer Hours: more than 23,000

FY 2024 Contribution to IWS:  $600,000

Patient Program Contributions:  
Coat Drive, AngelBaby (diaper) Bags, Literacy Program, Mothers’ Day Bags, Bean Soup Bags, Dental Kits, Baby Shower Items and CHAT Supplies


Our annual Coat Drive brings the gift of warmth to the Center’s patients