Eisenhower Health Dolores Hope Auxiliary volunteers take on important projects

"Eisenhower holds a very special place in my heart," says Linda St. Pierre, a dedicated volunteer and six-term president of the Eisenhower Health Dolores Hope Auxiliary. "Once I saw Eisenhower's Auxiliary volunteers at work and experienced their commitment to helping others, I immediately wanted to be a part of the magic too."

St. Pierre's journey with the auxiliary began with the promise of just four hours of work per month. But inspired by the selfless dedication of those around her, she soon found herself committing to more than 40 hours each month. This is the spirit that Dolores Hope envisioned when she founded the auxiliary in 1971 with a group of 100 women. Women like St. Pierre and Aadila Sabat-St. Clair, the administrative director of volunteer services, spiritual care, and memory care, have carried this vision forward, making a substantial impact on Eisenhower Health and the community it serves.

St. Pierre's leadership has been marked by energy, thoughtfulness and selflessness. Her contributions have significantly advanced the auxiliary's mission. Under her and the auxiliary board's guidance, the group has achieved several milestones. They have raised $1 million for nursing scholarships, they sewed 15,000 masks for health care providers during the pandemic and they successfully operate the Collectors Corner and Gift Shop (raising $1 million annually by 35 volunteers and 7 staff members).

In 2021, they also archived and created Eisenhower Health's 50th Anniversary Book and are organizing the upcoming Eisenhower Art Gallery.

Since its inception, the auxiliary has raised an impressive $25 million. This dedicated team of 400 volunteers contributed 44,000 hours last year alone and has been instrumental in establishing Eisenhower as a world-class health care organization.

A particularly exciting development for the auxiliary is the forthcoming Eisenhower Child Care Center, set to start construction in 2025. This center will cater to the children of hospital staff, from newborns to pre-kindergarten.

"We see the challenging childcare issues our staff navigates on a daily basis — expensive tuition, lack of teachers and working long shifts outside of typical business hours," Sabat-St. Clair says. "We have a tremendous opportunity to give our team members' children a safe learning environment."

The Child Care Center will offer more than just childcare. "We imagine the first day of school and are excited knowing how the center will positively affect the hospital team," Sabat-St. Clair says. The 19,000-square-foot facility will neighbor the Saul and Joyce Brandman Memory Care Center and join in some of its programming, fostering an innovative intergenerational experience that benefits both seniors and young children.

"And donors have overwhelmingly embraced our dream, wanting to give back to the nurses and technicians that they love," St. Pierre says.

Another exciting venture on the horizon is the Eisenhower Art Gallery, set to open in Rancho Mirage this fall. The gallery will showcase cherished art for sale donated by the community, with all proceeds benefiting the new Child Care Center.

"We are so blessed to have Linda and her auxiliary volunteers take on important projects such as the gallery and the Child Care Center," says Michael Landes, president of Eisenhower Health Foundation. "They make such a monumental impact to Eisenhower Health's mission, and we are so grateful for their time and dedication."

The gallery will also feature notable memorabilia, including President Eisenhower's golf cart, making it a must-visit destination.

The St. Pierre family's connection to Eisenhower Health is deeply personal. While Linda's husband, Patrick, has served as an Orthopedic Surgeon at Eisenhower for 16 years, it was their grandson Declan's life being saved by the trauma team after a near-drowning incident that forever cemented their commitment.

"Declan's life will always be a journey," St. Pierre says. "Recently, he was able to stand up for the first time since the event. We are overwhelmingly grateful to have him in our lives."

In honor of the hospital team's efforts, the St. Pierre family has dedicated 10 new wheelchairs to Eisenhower. "Our volunteers have the honor of wheeling a patient out when they are going home, and we know Declan's spirit is wishing them all a safe journey."

To support the Child Care Center, call the Eisenhower Health Foundation at (760) 773-1888. To connect with a curator to donate art to the gallery, please email photos to eisenhowerauxiliary@icloud.com.

Theresa Maggio is the senior director of annual giving at Eisenhower Health Foundation and is a proud member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, CA Desert Communities.