San Jose Auxiliary for Children History

The San Jose Auxiliary for Children was founded in 1942 with twelve members. Today, the three hundred members remain committed to raising funds for the patients treated at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Every member of the San Jose Auxiliary for Children is a volunteer. Because the San Jose Auxiliary is an all volunteer organization, we are able to donate a substantial amount of funds annually to the hospital; these funds are earned by operating "The Thrift Box" in Willow Glen and organizing special events. The San Jose Auxiliary for Children is one of seven Bay Area auxiliaries that support Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Together, the seven auxiliaries form the Association of Auxiliaries for Children and operate under the guidance of Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. ​
Milestones in the history of the San Jose Auxiliary for Children: 
  • 1942 Founded the San Jose Auxiliary to support the Stanford Convalescent Home for Children
  • 1942 Members made bibs for patients and created a birthday club for which members committed to donate $1 each birthday
  • 1943 Organized our first Blum's Day, which included a cookie sale and raffle, to raise funds for the Home (until 1965)
  • 1947 Obtained a business license and opened Thrift Shop at Security Building in downtown San Jose
  • 1948 Organized a booth at the County Fair featuring Thrift Shop merchandise (until 1975)
  • 1957 Moved Thrift Shop to 33 West San Antonio Street in downtown San Jose
  • 1964 Stanford Convalescent Home changed its name to Stanford Children's Convalescent Hospital
  • 1967 Moved Thrift Shop to 30 South Market Street in downtown San Jose
  • 1968 Children's Convalescent Hospital changed its name to Children's Hospital at Stanford and moved into a new facility
  • 1971 Over 13,000 hours were volunteered by San Jose Auxiliary members
  • 1973 Thrift Shop changed its name to The Thrift Box and moved to 1176 Lincoln Ave in Willow Glen
  • 1975 Organized the first "Pumpkin Patch" event to raise additional funds
  • 1981 The Thrift Box moved to its current location at 1362 Lincoln Ave, and the San Jose Auxiliary bought the building
  • 1985 San Jose Auxiliary was selected as "Distinguished Citizen of the Month Award" by a local radio station
  • 1987 Over 26,000 hours were volunteered by San Jose Auxiliary members 
  • 1991 Hospital opened a new facility named in honor of Lucile Packard
  • ​1998 Remodeled the Thrift Box and added a second floor
  • ​2016 Replaced "Pumpkin Patch" annual with "Best of the Box" semi annual events
  • 2016 Organized our first Annual Campaign, a member-focused fundraising effort, to support specific hospital programs
  • 2017 Installed solar panels on the roof of The Thrift Box building
  • ​2017 San Jose Auxiliary was named "Community Honoree" by the City of San Jose
  • 2017 Hospital opened the new addition to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
  • 2018 Over 30,000 hours were volunteered by San Jose Auxiliary members
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San Jose Auxiliary for Children, dba The Thrift Box, is a 501(c)3 Charitable Corporation. Tax ID# 94 - 6100771
Store Hours: Monday through Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm ​
1362 Lincoln Ave | San Jose, CA 95125 | ​(408) 294-4490
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