The Winter Ball

Participation by these young women, their families and guests in the Winter Ball cultivates awareness and philanthropic support of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Hill Branch has been an active member of Children's Hospital Branches, Inc. since Hill Branch's founding in 1914. Since 1958, Hill Branch has raised funds for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland through the Winter Ball, with the purpose of celebrating and honoring young women for their achievements as they graduate from high school and begin their lives as young adults.

Our debutante experience encompasses a wide range of activities - from philanthropy, involving anything from fundraising to making a meal to serve at Family House, to internships and networking.

As a Winter Ball participant you will have the opportunity for ongoing volunteer experiences throughout college, including internships or mentor assistance at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital-Oakland, meal prep at Family House, working at the NICU reunion picnic, touring the hospital, and more. 

Children's Hospital Oakland was started by two forward-thinking women - a nurse and a social worker. Their mission statement of taking care of mothers and children under the age of five, regardless of whether they spoke English, regardless of their skin color or ability to pay – are issues which are still relevant in 2021.

In creating the branches, they managed to fund the hospital's annual shortfalls until about 30 years ago when they were asked to fund specialized medical equipment instead.  While a debutante is a nod to the past - our participants have always raised money for the hospital and the group of women they are following is anything but traditional. 

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