TWIG 2 HISTORY
In 1890, a sewing circle making sheets and blankets for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital wanted Columbus to have its own children’s hospital, a facility that would take care of all sick children regardless of their race, creed or ability to pay. Mrs. James Kilbourne hosted a tea in her home and raised the initial $125 of the building fund. The original nine bed hospital (located at the corner of Miller and Fair Avenues) wascompleted on December 30, 1893 and the first patient was admitted in February, 1894. There was so much need for the hospital that another twenty-five bed wing (Elks Wing) was added in 1900. By 1916, the Women’s Board, which operated the hospital, determined that the operating budget of $10,000 per year was insufficient to meet the hospital's increasing expenses. Mrs. Truitt B. “Daisy” Sellers, President of the Women’s Board, led the formation of The Children’s Hospital Twigs (Together With Important Goals) Auxilary, a network of fifteen fundraising groups, dedicated to the support of Columbus Children’s Hospital. With the hospital foundation itself serving as the primary TWIG, each subsequent group was recognized with a unique number. Mrs. Kilbourne and Mrs. Sellers were both charter members of TWIG2.
In addition to fundraising, the hospital was also in need of supplies. Each TWIG group, as it was formed, agreed to provide a specific item: TWIG 26 – disposable cups; TWIG 32 – soap; TWIG 33 – dental supplies; TWIG 44 – sugar; TWIG 57 – crib blankets; TWIG 58 – brown sugar; others made surgical gowns, towels, sheets and diapers. TWIG 27 was known as the “Raggedy Ann” TWIG because members made their namesake for the patients. TWIG 34 became known as the Garden TWIG, initially growing fresh produce for the patients and eventually taking care of the hospital grounds, landscaping and general maintenance.
Keeping pace with the needs of the hospital, TWIGS have inspired many fundraising initiatives over the years, including Ohio Sales Tax Stamps, Heinz labels, Valentine Ball, opening night tickets to “Holiday on Ice,” Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, Festival of Trees, the TWIG Thrift Shop and of course the Annual TWIG Bazaar. TWIGS have also fostered a multigenerational culture of service among families, adopting the motto: Families that TWIG together, stay together.
Today, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has grown into a state-of-the-art facility offering care to many children nationwide. Over one hundred years after its start, TWIG 2 continues its legacy of being a dedicated group of women meeting and working together for the benefit of Nationwide Children’s Hospital