Jack & Jill Guild Memories
Eleanore Matheson and Millie Kegel Tribute
The Jack and Jill Guild of CHOC is delighted to honor two members whose 50 years of service and friendship are being celebrated this year. Millie Kegel and Eleanore Matheson joined the Guild in 1972 and have never wavered in their unconditional support for all the various fundraising activities that five decades can bring. They are unique among the hundreds of ladies who have been members since the guild was chartered in 1962, because they matched their guild commitment with more than 30 years of volunteering at the hospital to assist patients and their families.
Millie Kegel
Millie is a Life member of Jack and Jill and has served in a variety of leadership positions. She has played key roles in our Annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique, the Chili Cook-Off, and a variety of Spring Fundraisers. Her boundless enthusiasm and dedication have made her a central figure in the life of our Guild.
Millie is the member who personally connects with our Provisionals to make sure they feel welcomed and included in every activity. She is the member who reaches out to the community to include everyone in CHOC’s mission to provide exemplary medical care to the children of Orange County. And she is the member who creates the fun sense of “competition” to sell the most Home Tour tickets, work the most volunteer hours each month, or wear the craziest hat or costume to an event.
Millie has worked at the hospital for over 30 years, spending hours each week in the playroom of the Oncology Unit. Her positive presence offered support and diversion to the kids being cared for, earning her the title of “Monday Millie.” She was such an important part of the patient support team for so many years that, in 2005, CHOC honored her with their prestigious “Charley Award.” It is impossible to estimate the number of lives Millie has touched - no doubt many thousands. But we know for sure that she helped Jack and Jill raise nearly $5 million to support CHOC.
In 1986, Millie established the Blue Ribbon Sustainers of the Jack and Jill Guild, thereby ensuring the ongoing financial and volunteer involvement of hundreds of senior Jack and Jill members. She provided liaison between this group and the Active membership by representing them on the Guild Board. She is also our Guild Historian, helping us to remember how far we have come and to forge an esprit de corps that keeps us moving forward.
Eleanore Matheson
Eleanore is a steadfast member of Jack and Jill whose creativity and dedication have made every activity more fun and every fundraiser more profitable. During the early years of the Holiday Home Tour and Boutique, members were expected to make all the items sold at the Boutique. No vendors, no credit card machines, no gourmet bakery items from specialty stores in sight. Every summer, Eleanore’s patio was turned into Jack and Jill’s workshop, with all manner of handmade items in production to get ready for the big fall event. Members crocheted, they stitched, they glued, they painted, they baked. Whatever it took, Eleanore was the cheerleader who made it happen.
Not everything could be homemade. So Eleanore decided to expand the inventory - with CHOC watches! For years, the watches with Choco Bear on the face were sold at the Boutique, in the Gift Shop, and at CHOCWALK.
Eleanore is the person everyone wants to have on their committee. Never interested in being in a leadership position, she led the way as a role model for the Guild. She loved being involved in every activity and event, relishing the connection with other members, the community, and the hospital itself. She is known for her quick wit and devilish sense of humor, and particularly for the hilarious skits she wrote for the new Provisional members to perform at the Installation Luncheon each year.
Shortly after joining Jack and Jill, Eleanore began volunteering at the hospital and, even after retiring, is one of the longest-serving volunteers at CHOC. Fridays were her day and she spent most of them at the Information Desk on the 2nd Floor ICU, which is one of the most intense positions because it includes the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Eleanore became known as the “Rose Queen,” for the beautiful rose arrangements she brought in every week. She was also known for her calming comfort to patient families, doctors, nurses, and case managers as she provided information, encouragement, coffee, and homemade treats to ease the emotional chaos around her.
Millie Kegel and Eleanore Matheson are special indeed, for they have given their most precious possession - their time - to the Jack and Jill Guild and to the patients and families at CHOC. We are lucky to know them and proud to honor their 50 years of service to our community.
Millie Kegel
Millie is a Life member of Jack and Jill and has served in a variety of leadership positions. She has played key roles in our Annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique, the Chili Cook-Off, and a variety of Spring Fundraisers. Her boundless enthusiasm and dedication have made her a central figure in the life of our Guild.
Millie is the member who personally connects with our Provisionals to make sure they feel welcomed and included in every activity. She is the member who reaches out to the community to include everyone in CHOC’s mission to provide exemplary medical care to the children of Orange County. And she is the member who creates the fun sense of “competition” to sell the most Home Tour tickets, work the most volunteer hours each month, or wear the craziest hat or costume to an event.
Millie has worked at the hospital for over 30 years, spending hours each week in the playroom of the Oncology Unit. Her positive presence offered support and diversion to the kids being cared for, earning her the title of “Monday Millie.” She was such an important part of the patient support team for so many years that, in 2005, CHOC honored her with their prestigious “Charley Award.” It is impossible to estimate the number of lives Millie has touched - no doubt many thousands. But we know for sure that she helped Jack and Jill raise nearly $5 million to support CHOC.
In 1986, Millie established the Blue Ribbon Sustainers of the Jack and Jill Guild, thereby ensuring the ongoing financial and volunteer involvement of hundreds of senior Jack and Jill members. She provided liaison between this group and the Active membership by representing them on the Guild Board. She is also our Guild Historian, helping us to remember how far we have come and to forge an esprit de corps that keeps us moving forward.
Eleanore Matheson
Eleanore is a steadfast member of Jack and Jill whose creativity and dedication have made every activity more fun and every fundraiser more profitable. During the early years of the Holiday Home Tour and Boutique, members were expected to make all the items sold at the Boutique. No vendors, no credit card machines, no gourmet bakery items from specialty stores in sight. Every summer, Eleanore’s patio was turned into Jack and Jill’s workshop, with all manner of handmade items in production to get ready for the big fall event. Members crocheted, they stitched, they glued, they painted, they baked. Whatever it took, Eleanore was the cheerleader who made it happen.
Not everything could be homemade. So Eleanore decided to expand the inventory - with CHOC watches! For years, the watches with Choco Bear on the face were sold at the Boutique, in the Gift Shop, and at CHOCWALK.
Eleanore is the person everyone wants to have on their committee. Never interested in being in a leadership position, she led the way as a role model for the Guild. She loved being involved in every activity and event, relishing the connection with other members, the community, and the hospital itself. She is known for her quick wit and devilish sense of humor, and particularly for the hilarious skits she wrote for the new Provisional members to perform at the Installation Luncheon each year.
Shortly after joining Jack and Jill, Eleanore began volunteering at the hospital and, even after retiring, is one of the longest-serving volunteers at CHOC. Fridays were her day and she spent most of them at the Information Desk on the 2nd Floor ICU, which is one of the most intense positions because it includes the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Eleanore became known as the “Rose Queen,” for the beautiful rose arrangements she brought in every week. She was also known for her calming comfort to patient families, doctors, nurses, and case managers as she provided information, encouragement, coffee, and homemade treats to ease the emotional chaos around her.
Millie Kegel and Eleanore Matheson are special indeed, for they have given their most precious possession - their time - to the Jack and Jill Guild and to the patients and families at CHOC. We are lucky to know them and proud to honor their 50 years of service to our community.
Golden Anniversary Honoring Jack & Jill Guild Member Fran Lewis
The history of the Jack & Jill Guild is built on the foundation of our previous members who over the past 59 years unselfishly gave of themselves to make a difference in thousands of children’s lives.
The Jack and Jill Guild is honoring Fran Lewis for her past 50 years of Membership and Dedication. She received a beautiful frame and certificate from the Guild and congratulations from the membership.
Fran Lewis is a native Californian. Fran and Chuck’s first home was in Fullerton. After 5 years they moved to Denver for 5 years and then to Bloomfield Hills in Michigan.
When they lived in Fullerton they owned an MG and belonged to a car club and enjoyed going on rallies in the Tustin Hills. When they were ready to purchase their new home, they were already familiar with Tustin and thought it was a very nice and friendly community. That is where they purchased their home and raised their three children and now have 6 grandchildren, of whom she is very proud.
Her granddaughter, Madeleine Westerhout, worked in the White House under President Trump for three years. Madeleine has written a book that is available now…”Off the Record.”
Fran wanted to get involved in the hospital guild and learned about Jack and Jill. At that time, the Guild had around 30 members. She loved the comradery and fun in the group. She was the first Boutique Chair and everything was handmade by the members. They would meet in members’ homes throughout the year and work on the items to be sold in the beautiful homes. That was the beginning of our annual fundraiser for CHOC Children’s Jack and Jill Home Tour and Boutique.
She is currently a Blue Ribbon Sustainer of the Jack and Jill Guild, a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, a member of the Assistance League of Tustin, member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization International (Women helping women through scholarships, grants and awards), member of Chapman Town & Gown (a support group for Chapman University) and member of Crescendo Guild of Segerstrom.
Fran is very appreciative for having the opportunity to be helpful to the community and to be able to give back to the children of CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Congratulations Fran and Thank You for your 50 years of devoted service.
The Jack and Jill Guild is honoring Fran Lewis for her past 50 years of Membership and Dedication. She received a beautiful frame and certificate from the Guild and congratulations from the membership.
Fran Lewis is a native Californian. Fran and Chuck’s first home was in Fullerton. After 5 years they moved to Denver for 5 years and then to Bloomfield Hills in Michigan.
When they lived in Fullerton they owned an MG and belonged to a car club and enjoyed going on rallies in the Tustin Hills. When they were ready to purchase their new home, they were already familiar with Tustin and thought it was a very nice and friendly community. That is where they purchased their home and raised their three children and now have 6 grandchildren, of whom she is very proud.
Her granddaughter, Madeleine Westerhout, worked in the White House under President Trump for three years. Madeleine has written a book that is available now…”Off the Record.”
Fran wanted to get involved in the hospital guild and learned about Jack and Jill. At that time, the Guild had around 30 members. She loved the comradery and fun in the group. She was the first Boutique Chair and everything was handmade by the members. They would meet in members’ homes throughout the year and work on the items to be sold in the beautiful homes. That was the beginning of our annual fundraiser for CHOC Children’s Jack and Jill Home Tour and Boutique.
She is currently a Blue Ribbon Sustainer of the Jack and Jill Guild, a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, a member of the Assistance League of Tustin, member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization International (Women helping women through scholarships, grants and awards), member of Chapman Town & Gown (a support group for Chapman University) and member of Crescendo Guild of Segerstrom.
Fran is very appreciative for having the opportunity to be helpful to the community and to be able to give back to the children of CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Congratulations Fran and Thank You for your 50 years of devoted service.
Celebrating Another Million Dollars Raised for CHOC!
$5 Million Dollars to Date!
We kicked off this years Holiday Home Tour by celebrating the completion of our goal to raise a million dollars for
CHOC's Radiology Department! We happily presented a check to Lois Augustine with the CHOC Foundation
and 2 representatives from CHOC’s Radiology Department. Thank you to all of our Guild members and to
everyone who has supported our many fundraisers over the years.
$5 Million Dollars to Date!
We kicked off this years Holiday Home Tour by celebrating the completion of our goal to raise a million dollars for
CHOC's Radiology Department! We happily presented a check to Lois Augustine with the CHOC Foundation
and 2 representatives from CHOC’s Radiology Department. Thank you to all of our Guild members and to
everyone who has supported our many fundraisers over the years.
Guild Members are honored for their service to CHOC Children's!
The Jack & Jill Guild would like to thank the Duchess on Cambridge Home and Garden in Orange
for hosting a Mini Fundraiser. Time to gather, visit and shop for a good cause - CHOC Children's.
for hosting a Mini Fundraiser. Time to gather, visit and shop for a good cause - CHOC Children's.
A Taste of France Wine Tasting Fundraiser
Guild members tour CHOC Hospital.
They toured the "state of art" Radiology Department.
We are proud to have given a million dollars to their department.
They toured the "state of art" Radiology Department.
We are proud to have given a million dollars to their department.
Thank You to Miller Environmental Inc., GGG Demolition, Inc.,
West Coast Firestopping, Inc., & California Equipment Rentals, Inc.
for supporting Jack & Jill Guild's efforts!
West Coast Firestopping, Inc., & California Equipment Rentals, Inc.
for supporting Jack & Jill Guild's efforts!
CHOC Walk October 31st 2016
Jack & Jill Guild members got up early to share a fun and inspirational morning together
at the 26th Annual CHOC Walk at Disneyland. They walked and raised additional funds
by selling CHOC Kid's Holiday Cards and adorable bears dresssed for Halloween.
CHOC Walk is always a memorable experience.
Jack & Jill Guild members got up early to share a fun and inspirational morning together
at the 26th Annual CHOC Walk at Disneyland. They walked and raised additional funds
by selling CHOC Kid's Holiday Cards and adorable bears dresssed for Halloween.
CHOC Walk is always a memorable experience.
Antique Roadshow Fundraiser - August 2016
Installation of 2016-17 Jack & Jill Guild Executive Board
PJ is a devoted special lady who has been giving of herself every since she joined the Jack & Jill Guild. She always has a sunny disposition and is a detailed oriented hard worker. Over her seven year membership, she has given financial support, has participated in CHOC Children's events and has been available to lend a helping hand when needed. Most significantly, PJ has volunteered countless hours in support of the needs at CHOC Children's Hospital.
PJ Connors joined the Jack and Jill Guild in 2010 and has served on the Guild Board as Provisional Mom, Hospitality Co- Chair and Archivist. She has also taken positions of leadership in our Annual Home Tour and Boutique. PJ is most notable for starting and Chairing our Annual Golf Tournament, which is in its 4th year and counting.
Congratulations and Thank You to our wonderful volunteer!
PJ Connors joined the Jack and Jill Guild in 2010 and has served on the Guild Board as Provisional Mom, Hospitality Co- Chair and Archivist. She has also taken positions of leadership in our Annual Home Tour and Boutique. PJ is most notable for starting and Chairing our Annual Golf Tournament, which is in its 4th year and counting.
Congratulations and Thank You to our wonderful volunteer!
Loretta Davis Honored by Jack & Jill Guild
Two of our Members were honored for dedicating 50 years to CHOC!
Tee It Up for CHOC March 2016
Our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament was a fun day for all. It took place at the beautiful Yorba Linda Country Club. Thanks to our golfers, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers we raised $37,863 for
CHOC Children's Hospital Radiology Department.
Our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament was a fun day for all. It took place at the beautiful Yorba Linda Country Club. Thanks to our golfers, sponsors, supporters, and volunteers we raised $37,863 for
CHOC Children's Hospital Radiology Department.
Jack & Jill Guild recognizes Marilyn Bailey for 50 year's of service to CHOC!
Everyday Heroes: Villa Park woman receives honor for leadership, fundraising for CHOC.
Read Orange County Register Article for details
Everyday Heroes: Villa Park woman receives honor for leadership, fundraising for CHOC.
Read Orange County Register Article for details
Contact us for more information on becoming a Guild member or
the many ways you can help Jack and Jill Guild's fundraising efforts.
the many ways you can help Jack and Jill Guild's fundraising efforts.