Childrens Chain of Childrens Hospital is a group of women dedicated to raising funds for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles through a variety of creative means. We are committed to better serving the healthcare needs of children in our community with loving support.

Childrens Chain of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, as we know it today, began in 1958 as a support group for the Rehabilitation Center of Childrens Hospital. Like so many good things associated with CHLA, it was conceived as a result of the foresight and vision of Mary Duque.

Mrs. Duque, while Doll Fair Chairman, had been working for several years with a group of volunteers to raise funds to purchase apartments and bungalows near the hospital as housing for young doctors. In one year alone, she raised $179,000.00 for this project.

After the successful completion of this venture, Mrs. Duque was determined to keep this dedicated and congenial group of women together to continue their efforts. Thus, Childrens Chain was formed.

The idea for Childrens Chain was to encourage enthusiasm among the volunteers by having volunteers choose their own fundraising projects that they would then plan and execute. She encouraged women to work alone or with friends on any event that they choose. The chairman of each event was called a “Captain” because of her special role in this unique volunteer group. What united these women, with their varying interests, was their determination to see Childrens Hospital Rehabilitation Center prosper. When the funding was completed for this Center, Childrens Chain joined with the other associate and affiliate groups to support CHLA’s current designated project.

The annual Childrens Chain Dinner Dance originally was held to honor the Childrens Chain volunteers who had given so much of themselves to CHLA, and also to thank their friends who have supported Childrens Chain fundraising events throughout the year. Today, the annual Dinner Dance is Childrens Chain’s most significant fund raising event.

These traditions continue today because of the commitment and dedication of both active and associate members who believe in the important work being done at CHLA. As volunteers, the members of Childrens Chain strive to continue the level of dedication inspired by the late Mary Duque.