We are so grateful to Wawona Frozen Foods, the Smittcamp family and Wawona Frozen Foods employees for their generous support through their annual employee giving campaign that has raised more than $800,000 since its inception to support patients and families served at Valley Children's. This year, Wawona Frozen Foods employees contributed $27,024, and both Wawona Frozen Foods and the Smittcamp family matched the employees' contributions up to $25,000 for a total gift of more than $77,000. We are so grateful to each employee who supported this campaign. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Bill Smittcamp for his incredible leadership and philanthropy over many years.

We would like to thank the 57 Save Mart Supermarkets and FoodMaxx grocery stores from Fresno to Sonora who raised $25,000 during their 2021 in-store campaign. Funds raised are designated to Valley Children's Kids Eat Smart Program, a long-term effort designed to help kids make better food choices, which aligns closely with the Save Mart Companies' objective to "nourish the community.”

All of the stores did an amazing job at raising funds during the campaign. Special recognition to Darrell, who works at the Save Mart Supermarket on Pelandale Avenue in Modesto. Darrell raised the most funds during the campaign. Thank you, Darrell, for your commitment to making a difference. The Pelandale store was also the store that collected the most donations.

The Save Mart campaign has raised more than $900,000 since 1987. We are tremendously grateful for this longstanding partnership with the Save Mart Companies. This year marked the first year in which FoodMaxx, also owned by the Save Mart Companies, participated in the campaign.

On Monday, November 22, Jennifer Garner made a special appearance for a Q&A via Zoom with Valley Children's physicians and staff. During the Zoom event, Jennifer answered questions ranging from favorite movies she has starred in to medical workers that have made a personal impact on her life.

In addition to her time, Jennifer generously treated Valley Children's Healthcare physicians and staff at both the main hospital and satellite locations throughout the Valley to fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee to show her appreciation for their efforts during the pandemic. The Valley Children's family cannot thank Jennifer enough for her thoughtful support.

During the November 6, 2021 CMN Hospitals Extra Life Game Day, local gamers raised $7,806.55 for Valley Children's Hospital. A big thank you to all the gamers who participated for hundreds of combined hours of streaming. Every dollar raised will positively impact the pediatric healthcare here in the Valley.

We would like to recognize our #1 Game Day streamer, Marcelo Alves, for raising $1,225 in 24 hours. Congratulations to our #1 Game Day team, “All You Can Eat Gaming,” for raising $3,771.

As their team name suggests, these gamers promised to eat interesting foods as they reached milestones. Team captain, Spencer, says he took on the infamous “Death Nut Challenge 3.0” in which he ate five different spicy hot peanuts. The final peanut, Spencer says, “was probably the hottest thing I have ever eaten,” even hotter than the “one chip challenge” that he completed last year. Thank you again to all of our participants and donors, as well as our sponsor, Gamer Advantage!

The President’s Innovation Fund (formerly known as the President’s Fund), in partnership with George's Idea Lab, provided Valley Children's physicians and staff the opportunity to apply for funding and pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges. We are excited to share that President's Innovation Fund donors fully funded nine projects to further our mission of providing the best healthcare for kids. Over the past seven years, the President’s Innovation Fund has made a remarkable impact on our organization, having funded 73 employee-proposed projects.

We thank the President's Innovation Fund supporters for being a part of this exciting program, and the presenters for all their hard work and innovative ideas.

Please click here to see a recap of this year's President's Innovation Fund projects.

Looking back at the past year, we are filled with gratitude because of what you and others have done to help local children. Valley Children's is a place filled with stories of extraordinary generosity and strong commitment to advancing the mission of Valley Children's through philanthropy. We recently captured just a sampling of those stories in a Year In Review corresponding with the recent conclusion of our fiscal year on September 30. Please click here to read the digital version of Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation’s Year In Review.

Thank you to the thousands of people who donated to Valley Children's this past year, and to the thousands more who helped raise funds for Valley Children’s. You are bringing health, hope, and healing to children through philanthropy.

This holiday season, you can help support Valley Children's Hospital with a $50 donation and receive this plush George the Giraffe, Valley Children’s beloved mascot. Generous donors may also choose to donate their plush George to a patient who is currently hospitalized. Through your generosity, we can continue our commitment to children's health for generations to come.

You can make your donation by contacting Valley Children's Healthcare Foundation at 559-353-7100, or by email at foundation@valleychildrens.org.

Join the Harlan Ranch community at their socially distanced Jingle Walk to benefit Valley Children's. Attendees can meet at Harlan Ranch Community Center located at 1620 N. Leonard Ave, Clovis, CA 93619 at 8:00 a.m. Registration is free and festive attire is encouraged. In addition to the walk, small, medium and large plush giraffes will be available for donations of $25, $50 and $500, respectively. All funds raised will help purchase gifts for the children that will spend the holidays in the hospital. Register here.

Our Children's Miracle Network Hospitals partner, Ace Hardware, is fundraising for Valley Children's with their Holiday Round Up campaign! While picking up home supplies at Ace, please round up at the register November 26 - December 31!

Vehicle donations have the potential to bring hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars to the mission of Valley Children’s Healthcare. Donating a vehicle is easy, the pick-up is free, and your gift is tax-deductible. We accept cars, trucks, RVs, boats, and more (running or not). Arrange your donation today online at valleychildrens.careasy.org, or call 1-844-589-GIVE(4483) to learn more.