Join Us in Making a Difference.

Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital invites you to become a member. We are one of the oldest women’s organizations in Columbus, originating in the 1890s. Although we have changed in size and function, our primary mission has remained to bring pleasure to the young patients of the hospital through direct volunteer work and fundraising to support hospital programs.

Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." The women of Pleasure Guild give their time and hearts to help families during a time of great pain and need. We are proud of our organization and proud of the commitment our members make to support the children of central Ohio.

We ask you to browse all areas of our site, especially this section dedicated to answering all of your questions regarding membership with Pleasure Guild. Then take the next step – print off, complete and return a membership application.

Thank you for investigating how you can join other central Ohio women in making a difference for the children and families of Nationwide Children's Hospital! We look forward to welcoming you as our next new member!

Sincerely,

Hope Harrison President Pleasure Guild 614-488-6335 Hope.Harrison08@yahoo.com	Katie Ryan Vice President Pleasure Guild 614-488-6947 kkryan@sbcglobal.net

Membership Highlights

Pleasure Guild is an organization of 60 women committed to raising funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and traces its roots to the hospital’s beginnings. Since its inception in 1890, charity balls, horse shows, wrestling matches, style shows and musical revues have been organized. In recent years, an annual play has been the Guild’s primary fund-raising projects, although not its only venture. Socials, private shopping events, gala affairs – even private concerts comprise our range of activities – all coordinated to benefit Nationwide Children’s.

Pleasure Guild has raised over $3 million for the children of central Ohio, and in recent years our contribution has gone to support those children for whom a cure is beyond reach. The mission of Nationwide Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program is to make sure that no child dies alone, afraid or in pain. We are committed and honored to support this effort, and these families, during their time of greatest need.

Pleasure Guild members make a minimum three-year commitment and participate in a variety of fundraising and service projects. We are constantly looking for new ways to raise funds – whether it be a group-wise garage sale complete with lemonade stand or a black tie gala event.

Volunteer Work

Library Cart. A highlight of Pleasure Guild membership is our focus on volunteer service at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Our members log over 2,000 volunteer hours each year by circulating a library cart to patients and their families. We are the only women’s auxiliary at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to have direct contact with the families we serve. The value of brightening a child’s day by reading their favorite book, or supporting a weary mother by offering her a magazine, simply cannot be measured.

The S.A.F.E. Program. Each year, Pleasure Guild members reach over 500 Columbus school children, teaching the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Program. S.A.F.E. teaches local children about basic safety and injury prevention and promotes familiarization with the hospital. Through our partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets, these children also receive free bicycle helmets at a special fitting session attended by Stinger himself!

Pleasure Guild Projects

Annual Children’s Play: Pleasure Guild’s Primary fundraiser is a professionally-directed children’s play held annually in March at the Palace Theater. Our members handle all aspects of the production from auditions and marketing to ticket sales, and costume and set design. Each year the play raises more than $160,000 for Nationwide Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Program. Join us for Annie March 7, 8, and 9, 2008.

“A Celebration of Wine, Food and Dining with the Stars”: SPAGIO European and Pacific Rim Cuisine and Spagio Cellars offer a unique opportunity to central Ohioans through this annual gala - the only event of its kind in central Ohio. Attendees stroll through the restaurant and kitchen tasting award-winning cuisine prepared by world-renowned chefs flown in from across the country. Guests also sample wine from premier vineyards as they enjoy live music and mingle with our celebrity chefs at various food stations. A silent and live auction tops off the evening - last year’s event raised over $80,000. Pleasure Guild members coordinate corporate sponsorships, the donation of auction items, ticket sales, and volunteer the evening of the celebration.

The Memorial Tournament: Under the leadership of the Women’s Division Committee, Pleasure Guild members join all other Children’s Auxiliaries each year in volunteering at this premier PGA tournament hosted by Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. Members volunteer in a wide variety of roles – from the tournament’s Credentials Center to Cub Care where player’s children are cared for during tournament play. Since the tournament’s inception in 1977, more than $6 million has been raised for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Sera Bella, A Beautiful Night of Miracles: Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s premier fundraising event, Sera Bella, is an annual black tie ball. Members from all of the Hospital’s Auxiliary groups work to support this spectacular evening of miracles!

Pleasure Guild Life

Everyone is part of the fun and the results! All members are involved with two committees that focus on our fundraising or service projects. Some of us design sets and costumes, while others work on the play program or publicity for our events. You may find your place on a committee that makes our hospital library cart process more effective or working on a spectacular event with chefs from all over the country. We all meet once a month for a 2-hour meeting to stay current and brainstorm new ideas. In your second and third year, there are opportunities for additional responsibilities, like a board-level position.

We have a variety of talents and available time. Our target group size is 60 – 80 members. You will find women who work inside and outside the home, are single and married, with and without children, collectively working and having fun. We are from neighborhoods all around Columbus. Our collective skills include marketing, theatre performance and production, computers, communication, human resource management, project management, graphic design, and countless others. In general, we like people, we want to help kids, and we want to “give back”. It is exactly the kind of experience you want to make of it.

For some, it’s a second “job”. For others, it’s a few hours a month. Any way you want to approach it, you are making new friends by working and contributing with women who challenge your thinking and applaud your accomplishments. At the end of your time in Pleasure Guild, you are a proud contributor to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and a valued member who has advanced her own personal competency and had fun doing it!

Become a Sustainer

Are you a past Pleasure Guild member? Interested in continuing your commitment to make a difference? Pleasure Guild still needs you - you are vital to our success! As a Sustainer, you will reap the rewards of participation without the level of requirements that you experienced as an Active member. Our goal is to draw from the strength of our past members throughout each year. We value your input through not only your historical perspective, but also your seasoned experience.

Pleasure Guild has great plans for our Sustainers each year, including a fall luncheon, our annual Holiday Dinner, new membership cards, a new, all-PG directory, and several fabulous evening fundraisers. We are still committed to serving the community through our hospital volunteerism, fun events and annual play at the Palace Theater.

Please know that your commitment to Children’s Hospital during your years of active membership was greatly appreciated. Whether you are reconnecting with old friends or gaining new ones, we hope you choose to continue your support of Pleasure Guild and Nationwide Children’s Hospital! Print out a Sustainer Membership Form now, and return it!

Pleasure Guild and Nationwide Children’s Hospital thank you for your support!

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