About Las Madrecitas

Las Madrecitas is an auxiliary of the Charitable Children’s Guild of the Orthopædic Institute for Children, located in downtown Los Angeles. The organization began in 1956 through the efforts of Mrs. Harold D. Leslie, Jr. The original membership included twelve ladies. We have grown over time and have an average of 50-75 active members. In 1965, Las Madrecitas took on the sponsorship of Las Niñas de las Madrecitas, a junior auxiliary of high school girls.

Club membership is open to any woman who is interested in the aims and purposes of this Auxiliary and who meet the requirements of the Auxiliary. A prospective provisional meeting is usually held in January or February.

The object of this organization shall be to promote the welfare of children, through public relations, volunteers, and financial assistance in cooperation with the Charitable Children’s Guild of the Orthopædic Institute for Children.

Las Madrecitas is proud of its long history and its record of service to Orthopædic Institute for Children. Las Madrecitas also promotes the importance of community service in the Palos Verdes area.

Las Niñas at Orthopaedic Institute for Children

We volunteer at the Thrift Shop and inside the hospital. We volunteer in the waiting room making lanyards with patients, coloring with them, and reading stories. Each month, we host play dates with the children at OIC’s playground on its downtown LA campus. Each summer, we travel to OIC ‘s Calexico Clinic, which is a real highlight of the Las Niñas Experience.

Las Niñas in The South Bay

Las Niñas volunteer at Camp Escapades for Pediatric Therapy Network, Palos Verdes Art Center, Pointe Vicente, and community day care centers to name a few. Las Niñas bake cookies for local high schools and retirement homes and engage in toy drives, See’s Candy sales, and other events in support of OIC and our community.

Summer Calexico Trip

We make fleece no-sew blankets to give to OIC’s community, and also to the children at its Calexico Clinic. This Summer day trip takes us by bus to Calexico, California with OIC doctors and staff to deliver the blankets we’ve made, and spend time with patients while they are waiting for care. The Calexico Trip is truly a highlight of our time spent in Las Niñas.

Community Service

We volunteer in the South Bay, supporting Palos Verdes schools and events, Pointe Vicente, PV Art Center and many other organizations. We work in the community, bake cookies, assist as camp counselors, and in day care facilities.

High School Leadership

We serve on the Las Ninas Board in a number of elected and appointed positions. There are a variety of leadership opportunities in Las Ninas, from President, to Historian to VP of Social Marketing, to Big and Little Sister Chairs. Las Ninas offers opportunities for all types of personalities and skill sets. Our members earn acceptance into CSF, NHS, and competitive colleges and universities looking for applicants with leadership, genuine commitment, and depth of involvement.

Evergreen Ball & Fashion Show

We, as Seniors, have two events which our membership and Las Madrecitas hold for our families: the Evergreen Ball and Fashion Show. Both honor our relationship with Orthopaedic Institute for Children and the dedication of our Senior families. At the Ball, Dr. Scaduto, the President of OIC, personally presents a medallion to each Senior to thank her for her service. In the Spring. our Fashion Show features our Senior “models” as they help raise funds for OIC. Moms and daughters support these events, which are among the most beautiful and celebrated in the South Bay. Our moms put in long hours to hold these Senior events that celebrate our unique relationship with OIC and the commitment of our families.

The mission of Orthopaedic Institute for Children (OIC) is to provide outstanding care for patients with musculoskeletal disorders and through the support of the Orthopaedic Foundation, to provide care for children regardless of ability to pay and advance care worldwide for all musculoskeletal patients through medical education and scientific research.
For more info see: www.orthohospital.org