Known for pledging funds to various projects - Children’s Miracle Network, Scott & White Bone Marrow Program, scholarships and more - the auxiliary has taken on a big goal that will provide big rewards for years to come.

The auxiliary has pledged $1 million, with half earmarked for the Surgical Science Building, which is expected to be in operation in late 2011, and $500,000 to go to purchase specialized equipment for the Children’s Hospital.

“This is a sizable pledge for us,” said Vanny Bolsins, auxiliary president. “Ordinarily, we give smaller amounts to a lot of different areas in the hospital.”

The auxiliary typically donates about $180,000 a year and this donation will break down to $200,000 a year for five years, she said.

“It’s a bit of a stretch, but I’m sure we can do it,” Bolsins said.

Most of the auxiliary’s money is generated from the hospital’s Sunshine Gift Shop, with some coming from selling popcorn. The shop recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

“We’re really excited about doing something of this magnitude,” she said. “Not only is it going to help the hospital be more cutting edge, it’s going to be something you and I and our families are going to use for years.”

The Scott & White Auxiliary has about 130 volunteers who work in many areas of the hospital and clinics and this pledge will be a legacy of that organization.

It shows what a small group of people can do when they’re dedicated to a cause, Bolsins said.

“The Scott & White Auxiliary group means so much to this institution, in so many ways,” said Nancy Birdwell, Scott & White chief development officer. “The contributions they have made are immeasurable. Not only do they volunteer hours, but their financial contributions have allowed Scott & White to purchase new, advanced technology medical equipment.”

The Surgical Science Building is needed to accommodate Scott & White’s growth geographically and internally.

The medical center has expanded services in cancer research and treatments, orthopedics and cardiovascular disease and sees patients from around Texas and beyond. Each specialty has a strong surgical component that can’t be accommodated in the space now available.

In June, Scott & White announced plans to construct as many as 36 state-of-the-art operating suites in a new four-story building.

The auxiliary’s pledge to the Children’s Hospital will purchase pediatric medication pumps.

This gift is transformational because it will completely change how staff cares for patients in the Children’s Hospital, said Lesli Cearley, Scott & White Children’s Hospital director of development.

“Now everything is done manually and this is the highest technology available in medication infusion … it eliminates the possibility of medication errors, a nurse’s worst nightmare,” she said.

About 12 auxiliary volunteers run the auxiliary’s gift shop. Volunteers also man the hospital’s information desks and do everything from delivering papers to patients to helping out in surgery waiting rooms, Bolsins said.

“There are volunteers working in about every department of this hospital,” Bolsins said. “You name it and we probably do it.”

The auxiliary’s commitment makes Scott & White a better place and supports its mission to provide the highest quality health care to all of the patients it serves, Birdwell said.

“This is an organization that serves and gives,” she said.

Ever vigilant, Bolsins is always looking to recruit new auxiliary volunteers and wants those interested to drop by and fill out an application.