Geraldine A. Stramski, developmental pediatrician, recognized the need for a team approach to the multiple health issues often encountered in children with developmental conditions. In 1975, she founded the Children’s Chronic Disease Center with the financial help of the Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Auxiliary. Renamed in her honor in 1991, The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach lost its funding in 1999 after she passed and was going to close – until a group of doctors and Shirley Wild stepped in.

Shirley Wild, founder, Steel Magnolias, and Anthony Gagliardi, chairman, Steel Magnolias, worked together to host a fundraising gala for the Stramski Center that exceeded their expectations. The event raised nearly $70,000 and generated incredible support from the Long Beach community. What was meant to be a one-time only fundraiser turned into the Steel Magnolias group that is dedicated to raising funds for developmental disabilities, including the Stramski Center.

Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach is a comprehensive center that cares for children from birth to age 21 with behavioral and developmental conditions, such as autism, Fragile X, ADHD/ADD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, behavioral sleep conditions, craniofacial abnormalities and cleft lip and palate.

“Geraldine was my closest friend for 35 years. To carry on her legacy, the Center needed funding to keep her dream alive,” says Wild. “After seeing how much money one event raised, the group decided to continue. We now have three annual fundraisers – the Long Beach Home Design Tour, a signature evening event, and a golf tournament.”

The Steel Magnolias name is inspired by the 1989 film “strong as steel, but soft as a petal.” It is an all-volunteer, 50 active membership, non-profit organization that raises funds for developmentally disabled children. Since 1999, the Steel Magnolias have donated more than 4 million dollars to The Stramski Center at Miller Children’s, the main recipient for the past 16 years. This donation enables deserving children and families to receive the critical medical care they could not otherwise afford. All profits of the Steel Magnolias is designated to the cause.

“I love the people I work with, both in the Steel Magnolias and at the Stramski Center,” says Shirley. “Most of all, I’m grateful, as are our members, to be making a difference in patients and families lives by doing what we do.”

One of their big initiatives in 2015 was funding a psychologist with more than $250,000 to evaluate and analyze the behaviors of children with developmental disorders.

To learn more about the Steel Magnolias and their upcoming fundraisers, visit TheSteelMagnolias.org.

For more information about the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center, visit MillerChildrens.org/Stramski.