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Valley Children’s was honored to host Panda Express managers and associates last month to kick off this year’s fundraising campaign and celebrate their philanthropic support.
As one of our leading Children’s Miracle Network partners, Panda Express has supported our organization since 2009. Last year alone, 51 Panda Express locations in the Central Valley raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for our organization, bringing the total number to nearly $5.5 million over the past 15 years.
Our favorite mascot, George, and Pei Pei Panda joined the group to color with the kids and distribute plushies and sunglasses to our inpatient units.
Founded in 2020, the Panda Cares Center of Hope aims to inspire hope and foster healing by offering specialized programs and a dedicated space within Valley Children’s that addresses the full spectrum of a child's well-being, including their mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. The Center supports services such as Child Life, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Spiritual Care and Patient and Family Services.
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The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction celebrated its 20th anniversary last month, raising a record $2.2 million for 11 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, including Valley Children’s Hospital. The annual event has raised more than $18 million for CMN Hospitals over the last 20 years.
Over 500 credit union leaders, business partners and hospital representatives gathered for an evening of fine wine and spirited bidding at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, CA on March 14, 2025. This year’s theme, “Rhapsody: A Fusion of Jazz & Blues,” set the stage for an elegant black-tie affair, where guests came together to make a profound impact on children’s healthcare.
“This evening remains a beacon of hope as we celebrate 20 years of support for such an inspirational cause,” said Bill Cheney, co-chair of this year’s event and president and CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
Darren Williams, president and CEO of Wescom and co-chair for this year’s event, shared his deep appreciation for the credit union community. “Every year, we come together with a common goal—to support CMN Hospitals in their mission to assist children and families in need. Their dedication to this important cause is truly admirable.”
Thank you, Credit Unions for Kids!
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We are truly honored that the schools, students and faculty of the Tulare City School District selected our Extra Life team, Heroes Play Games, as the beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts from the 2024-2025 United For Good t-shirt sales campaign. The Heroes Play Games team—Mark, Chris, Marcelo, Diego and Martin—has been one of our top Extra Life teams, raising funds for Valley Children’s Hospital through gaming for over 10 years! Extra Life, a program of Children’s Miracle Hospitals, unites gamers (both in-person and online) to raise essential funds for their local children's hospitals.
On March 25, 2025, Tulare City School District Vice Principals Laurel Dominguez and Jordyn Gendreau presented the team with a check for $13,657.04 during the school board meeting, along with an additional $500 check from Alpine Vista School, bringing the total to an amazing $14,157.04! A heartfelt thank you to Heroes Play Games and the entire Tulare City School District, including everyone who helped organize this campaign, purchased t-shirts and chose to support this incredible team. Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of kids in the Central Valley!
| | This year’s St. Baldrick’s Foundation event at Valley Children’s was a tremendous success, thanks to the unwavering support of our shavees, barbers and community. This event is part of a larger partnership with St. Baldrick's, which helps fund critical pediatric cancer research and clinical trials. Through your generosity, we continue to make a meaningful impact in the fight against childhood cancer. | | |
The St. Baldrick's event is not just about shaving heads—it's about raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. Thanks to our incredible shavees and those who donated their hair, we are making a real difference for the children who need it most. Your courage and selflessness serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of community and compassion.
We also want to acknowledge our talented barbers—Kari Spalding and Lexie Riley from Hungry Hair Salon for their second year volunteering and Sam Garcia for her first-time volunteering—whose skills and generosity helped make the event memorable. Their support, along with the contributions of everyone involved, allows us to keep pushing forward in our mission.
In addition to this event, Valley Children’s was honored to receive a grant from St. Baldrick’s to support pediatric cancer clinical trials. This funding is part of over $1.1 million awarded to 24 institutions nationwide, helping advance research and provide new treatment options. We are grateful for this support as it enables us to offer hope for a life after cancer, with fewer side effects. Thank you for helping us continue this vital work and for your ongoing support in the fight against childhood cancer.
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Run with the Heroes 5K and Family Walk
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Get ready to light up the night at our first-ever evening event! Join us for the 9th annual event. Every step you take supports George’s Pass, the program that creates sensory-safe experiences for kids in the hospital and in our community. Dress up as your favorite superhero, light up your strollers/wheelchairs and shine a light on inclusion for kids of ALL abilities! Enjoy a resource fair, sensory-friendly carnival and fun activities for the whole family. Register at runwiththeheroes.com today!
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Valley Children's Hospital Harvest Ball
Saturday, September 27, 2025
To secure your sponsorship early to this sell-out event, feel free to reach out to us at Foundation@valleychildrens.org.
| | Cleaning out your closet? Make it count! Support Valley Children's Hospital by bagging up your unwanted clothes, shoes and soft goods. Visit JustPorchIt.com/VCF to schedule your FREE home pickup—Just Porch It will handle the rest while you feel like a decluttering superhero. | | Vehicle donations can make a significant impact, bringing in hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to support the mission of Valley Children’s Healthcare. Donating your vehicle is quick and simple—plus, we offer free pick-up and your gift is tax-deductible. We accept all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and more—whether they’re running or not. To make your donation, visit valleychildrens.careasy.org or call 1-844-589-GIVE (4483) to learn more and help make a difference today. | | | | |
