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Celebrating the Auxiliary's 75th anniversary!

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Children's Bureau Auxiliary Celebrates 75 Years of Helping Children in Need! On October 26, 1932, twenty young women banded together and became charter members of the Auxiliary to the Children's Bureau of the Indianapolis Orphan Asylum. The Auxiliary was "born of a need"  to help children, noted Lucille Batson, director of the Children's Bureau in those days, because money to meet the needs of "vulnerable" children had become scarce as the Great Depression tightened its grip on the nation. Still active today, the organization is known as

the Children's Bureau Auxiliary, Inc. Over the years, the purpose of the Auxiliary has remained as it was in 1932: to raise money for the Children's Bureau and to provide direct volunteer service, such as client parties, transportation to appointments, foster parent meetings, and staff assistance. Fundraising activities have run the gamut from puppet shows and bridge parties to galas on the eve of the 500 Mile Race to rummage and flower sales to the Something Special Gift Shop to tours of the Hoosier Dome (the RCA Dome)  to golf tournaments to the Fashion Show & Luncheon and Blooming Boutiques and more. In the early years of the Auxiliary, fundraising earnings often went toward expanding a child's horizons or alleviating a medical problem. For example, funds were used for music lessons and instruments, orthopedic shoes, and summer camp. In addition, some of the money provided scholarships for staff members to further their education through graduate study or to attend professional conferences.

Today, much attention is focused on birthday & holiday gifts and monthly activities for children in group homes, craft activities at the Family Support Center and Retreat, camp and other special experiences for the children, and scholarships for staff members to continue their education in social work. From the small group of twenty women who established the organization so long ago, Auxiliary membership has grown to include 355 women over the past 75 years. Currently, 40 women donate time and energy to raise funds and to volunteer directly with the children or to assist staff members. Several events were scheduled during 2007 to celebrate the Auxiliary's first seventy-five years. In addition to focusing on specific decades during general monthly meetings, the Auxiliary:

• treated the Children's Bureau staff members to a program highlighting 75 years of service
  at a staff appreciation luncheon on April 17th at North United Methodist Church
  
  
• hosted the 13th annual Fashion Show & Luncheon and Blooming Boutique on May 9th
  at The Fountains in Carmel, again highlighting 75 years of accomplishment
  
  
• celebrated the Auxiliary's 75 year history with dinner and awards at the Indiana History
  Center in the fall

Congratulations to members of the Children's Bureau Auxiliary
on celebrating 75 years of helping Indiana children in need
through service to Children's Bureau!

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