About the Twigs
Overlook Auxiliary Twig Overview, May 2025
The Overlook Auxiliary Twigs were first formed in the 1940s and created a legacy of like-minded people giving back to Overlook Medical Center. Currently, the Auxiliary has thirteen active Twigs which bring innovative ideas for fundraising and service projects. Our Junior Twig program was started in 2018 to instill volunteerism and community service in the next generation.
Short Hills Twig 27 – 1977
Short Hills Twig 27, 6 active members strong, continues to raise monies via vendor sales. These are held in the auditorium and are attended by the Overlook Medical Center nurses, doctors, and team members. This year they had sales that included jewelry, chocolate, painted glass, gift baskets and assorted items; an Amish vendor (who will be back twice more this year); and a jewelry vendor who offered Mother’s Day jewelry. Proceeds will fund Nursing Scholarships.
Summit Twig 11 – 1980
Fundraised by hosting Kentucky Derby parties and selling luminaries and volunteered with the bedside companion program. Today they continue to meet socially and donate to Overlook Medical Center.
Short Hills Twig 18 – 2004
SH Twig 18 decorates Overlook Medical Center for Hanukkah each year.
New Providence Twig 10 – 2015
NP Twig 10 turns 10 this year! Members teamed up with Blood Services of New York to promote 2 blood drives this year and increase donor participation. In the Fall, NP Twig 10 planned Cooking for a Cause with Passion for Spices raising over $700 for the Stacy Goldstein Breast Center. The annual Thanksgiving Basket Fundraiser raised over $13,000 this year and collected enough food donations to provide 515 full Thanksgiving dinners to the families at the HealthStart Clinic. Member enjoyed a fun holiday shopping event at Art with Heart in December. In January, the second annual Grab A Girlfriend event raised over $10,000 in support of Child Life. NP Twig 10 hosted a shopping and needlepoint 101 event in April to raise funds for Mother’s Day gift bags for the HealthStart Clinic. Thirty beautiful Mother’s Day gift bags were assembled. NP Twig 10 teamed up with the Gift Shop & Bloom to provide small floral arrangements for mothers spending the holiday in the Medical Center.
Summit Twig 25 – 2020
Twig SU-25 continues to be putting out handmade items for various departments throughout the Overlook Medical Center. What began as pandemic PPE has morphed fully into comfort items and specialized gifts depending on the department. Our talented ladies sew, crochet and knit, many times with donated materials. For the year May 2024-May 2025, the following items have been delivered:
- 700 Reusable Shopping Bags using excess “blue wrap” from OMC.
- 335 infant hats and 40 pairs of infant booties for the Mother/Baby Department.
- 20 angel gowns and 5 angel cradle kits for bereavement.
- 10 toddler hats and 5 pairs of toddler mittens for the HealthStart Clinic.
- 12 lap-sized Afghans for Eldercare, Oncology, and Hospice. These provide comfort and fit over a wheelchair or standard hospital bed.
- 80 fidget aprons for Eldercare, Memory Care, and Hospice.
New Providence Twig 11 – 2024
NP Twig 11, whose focus is Mental Health, was formed in the Fall of 2024. They held monthly meetings, planned three fundraisers, and put holiday bags together for the inpatients of One South. The first fundraiser was an “Unplug” phone box, which created awareness around mindful technology usage. The second was a live music, donation-based slow flow yoga class at YogaSix in New Providence, taught by a Twig member. The third was a high/low wine tasting event. In total, they raised over $2,000 to support the Behavioral Health program at Overlook.
Mother-Daughter Twig – 2026
Our 33-member Twig had an incredibly impactful year supporting Overlook Medical Center and the local community through a wide range of hands-on service and fundraising initiatives. From crafting 45 heart-shaped recovery pillows for open-heart surgery patients and assembling 70 self-care bags for the Health Start Clinic, to creating 100 friendship bracelets and holiday activity kits for pediatric patients, our members directly touched the lives of countless individuals receiving care. Beyond hospital walls, the group partnered with local schools for a community sunscreen drive supporting the Family Center, collected neighborhood food donations for the annual Thanksgiving basket drive, and kicked off the year by creating a donated artwork titled “Make a Wish” for the Art at Overlook benefit auction.
Click here to read about our Junior Twig Accomplishments!
Twigs Then & Now
