McCain Inc.

Rady Children’s Hospital is a 261-bed pediatric care facility providing the largest source of comprehensive pediatric medical services in San Diego, southern Riverside and Imperial counties. As the sole hospital in the San Diego area dedicated exclusively to pediatric healthcare, Rady Children’s is the region’s only designated pediatric trauma center. Rady Children’s has a 54-bed Pediatric Critical Care unit and a 38-bed Neonatal Intensive Care unit, along with the only comprehensive pediatric Cancer Care Center in San Diego.

The Rancho Santa Fe Unit of Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary originated in 1960 as the San Dieguito Unit. Its 35 charter members hailed from the large unincorporated San Dieguito area north and east of Del Mar and west of Escondido. As auxiliary-wide membership grew, in 1983 the name of the unit changed to Rancho Santa to reflect the locale of the majority of the membership.

For approximately 16 years the unit raised funds for the hospital through the sale of crafts at the Auxiliary’s Annual Craft Fair. In the ‘70s the Unit’s main fundraiser was a horse show held at the Rancho Santa Fe Riding Club. Following the horse shows came “Concerts on the Green,” a family event with musical entertainment, food and fireworks, which were held on summer evenings from 1977 through 1996.

In 1997, a decision was made to discontinue the concerts in order to focus on one event, which would allow members to complete volunteer work prior to summer. A spectacular May gala was held at a private estate and included cocktails, dinner, dancing, and both silent and live auctions. From 1997’s “Una Notte a Venizia” to “Grecian Grandeur” in 2007, this annual event was the Unit’s major fundraiser for 11 years.

While the annual gala was well-attended and supported throughout the community, the members decided to refresh the format in order to host an event that would both retain long-time supporters and attract new ones. In 2008, the Unit hosted Stand Up for Rady Children’s Cancer Care Center, an Evening With Jay Leno. The event, held at The Grand Del Mar, featured fabulous food and fantastic auction items followed by a hearty laugh courtesy of signature entertainer and philanthropist, Jay Leno. In 2009, our signature entertainer was Frank Caliendo, man of a million faces and star of his own TV show. Our 2010 Stand Up event benefiting the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders features Bill Cosby, whose family-friendly humor has entertained and delighted Americans for decades.

Today, membership has grown to 66 active and 99 supporting members who enjoy the same spirit and tradition as those first 35 members: a commitment to support and sustain excellent health care for all children in the greater San Diego community.