About PAA

PAA is an organization of approximately 350 members who raise funds to:

• Provide for the uncompensated care of seriously ill children
• Support the Lucile Packard Children's hospital at Stanford, and
• Promote, foster and maintain the welfare of children.

History of the Organization

The Palo Alto Auxiliary was established in 1931 to raise funds for convalescing children. The members engaged in such activities as creating and selling Christmas wreaths, selling fruit and flowers from their own gardens on street corners, selling pencils at the neighborhood train station, and hosting teas.

In 1932, the Auxiliary accepted a new role -- providing luncheon service at Allied Arts Guild Restaurant in Menlo Park, CA. This opportunity gave members a chance to increase charitable donations while, at the same time, to serve the community in a most creative way.  Before long, volunteers were hosting such popular events as the Valentine’s Day Tea, Bunny Days, Mother’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show, American Girl Doll Event, Monday Morning Bridge and the Holiday Tea. They also hosted receptions of all kinds, including weddings.  All events were loved by the community and continued to thrive and sell out.  Members also produced recipe cards, as well as a realm of products from the kitchen, all of which soon became the "talk of the town" and continued to fly out the door.

By 1950, due to the success of the Restaurant, the Auxiliary was able to underwrite the cost of five children and to establish a $20,000 Endowment Fund, with a second endowment completed by the mid-1950s.  Since that time, the Auxiliary contributed millions of dollars to their cause, all of which was made possible by the continuing creativity, imagination, and dedication of the members who steadfastly volunteered, and continue to volunteer, their time and energy.

In 2005, the volunteers produced an award-winning and profit-making cookbook which they titled Tastes, Tales and Traditions.  Filled with popular recipes from the restaurant, along with tales and traditions from a 75-year history, this cookbook has become a legacy and is destined to become a classic.

In 2007, the Palo Alto Auxiliary bid farewell to Allied Arts Guild Restaurant in order to pursue more profitable activities.  Like volunteers of the past, members continue to support the hospital by devoting their attention to:

• Marketing and selling their award-winning cookbook
• Hosting the popular American Girl Fashion Show and Tea, and
• Developing new and innovative fund-raising activities.

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements and fund-raising events!