By Kaye Crouch, Communications Director
When a group of local women came together in 1888 to raise $10,000 to build Wilmington’s first hospital, their efforts laid the foundation for the Junior Board of Christiana Care, Inc. Today, that same spirit of service inspires a vibrant community of volunteers dedicated to supporting ChristianaCare and improving the health of our neighbors.
The Junior Board is an independent, nonprofit organization with over 50 active volunteers and more than 100 supporting members. Their contributions personify ChristianaCare’s guiding value of serving together with love and excellence.
Each year, Junior Board members volunteer thousands of hours across ChristianaCare, supporting patients and families with a friendly face and raising funds to advance ChristianaCare’s mission of caring for the community.
Junior Board members are easy to spot in their distinctive pink vests welcoming and assisting patients, families and visitors at the Christiana Hospital E-Tower and Surgical Waiting Lounge, the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute Information Desk, Library and the Infusion Center as well as the Wilmington Hospital entrance.
Their gift shops at Wilmington and Christiana hospitals offer unique finds and yet another way to give back. Proceeds from the shops and the annual JB Cause Fundraising Event support programs and services that enhance the patient and family experience.
Their generosity resonates across ChristianaCare. Over the past decade, the Junior Board has raised more than $4.3 million in support of projects, including the Wilmington Hospital Emergency Department expansion, the Department of Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, the Swank Memory Care Unit, Wilmington Hospital’s Dental Clinic, and the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health. Most recently, members committed $1 million to support the expansion of ChristianaCare’s Middletown campus, increasing access to care for communities in southern New Castle County.
For members of the Junior Board, the rewards go beyond fundraising totals and volunteer hours. Membership offers an opportunity to build lasting friendships, connect with others who share a passion for service, and be part of a tradition that has strengthened the community for generations.
Interested in learning more? Contact the Junior Board at [email protected] and discover how you can get involved.