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During the NBA off season, Fresno native AJ Johnson came home to Valley Children’s Hospital, eager to give back to the place that supported his family years ago. Entering his third year with the NBA, playing for the Washington Wizards, the rising NBA star hasn’t forgotten his roots or the community that helped shape his journey.
Johnson’s connection to Valley Children’s is deeply personal. Years ago, his younger brother received care at the hospital for diabetes, an experience that left a lasting impact on their entire family. Coming back to the hospital brought back many memories, but this time, the visit was filled with gratitude and hope as Johnson spent time with patients and families walking similar paths.
Throughout the day, he handed out jerseys, signed autographs and shared words of encouragement with young patients. His visit brought excitement and inspiration to children and families, offering a powerful reminder that strength and perseverance can lead to incredible journeys. Parents appreciated the thoughtful gesture and the joy it brought to their children. “Having AJ come visit us was such a nice gesture. I love seeing community leaders give back,” said Elizabeth Whiteman, whose daughter had the chance to meet and chat with the basketball star.
For Johnson, seeing the hospital again reinforced how far his family has come and how important it is to stay connected to his roots. Staff and families were touched by his presence, noting the joy and energy he brought into each room. For many, meeting a professional athlete who once shared similar experiences at Valley Children’s was uplifting and meaningful.
His return to Valley Children’s was more than a visit; it was a full circle moment that celebrated community, resilience and the life-changing care made possible through the generosity of donors.
We are deeply grateful to AJ, his team and the Valley Children’s employees who made this visit possible!
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Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, community members and the brave patients and families who shared their stories, the 27th Annual KISS Country for Kids Radiothon raised an outstanding $102,151 in support of Valley Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.
This event brought together people from across the region with one shared goal: to Knock Out Cancer for Kids. From heartfelt interviews to inspiring moments of generosity, Radiothon was a true celebration of hope and community spirit.
We extend our deepest gratitude to KISS Country for their unwavering partnership. By helping us promote the event and providing a platform for families to share their journeys, they played a vital role in raising awareness and rallying support.
Every dollar raised will help provide life-saving care, emotional support and critical resources to children and families facing cancer. We are so thankful to everyone who made this event a success.
Together, we are making a difference. One story, one donation and one child at a time.
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On Saturday, September 20, Kiwanis Division 5 hosted its annual Kiwanis River Run at George’s River Ranch. The event brought together community members of all ages for a day of fun, fitness and philanthropy. Participants enjoyed a variety of races, including a 10K trail run, 5K, 2-mile walk and a 1/4-mile fun run for kids. All proceeds supported Valley Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Trauma Center and Injury Prevention Program.
We are truly grateful to our longtime partner, Kiwanis Division 5, for their continued commitment to children’s health. Their support helps ensure that Valley Children’s can provide life-saving care and injury prevention resources to families throughout the region.
Thanks to the generosity of participants and donors, the event raised $41,592.14 to support this vital work. This total includes a generous $28,277.14 grant from the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund and contributions from the 10 clubs in Division 5, which will allow the Trauma and Injury Prevention Program to further educate and equip families with the proper safety tools to keep kids safe and injury free.
A special thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Old Town Clovis for leading the River Run. And thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered or donated. Your support makes a lasting impact.
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Valley Children’s Roots of Resilience Gardening Club has once again received a generous $5,000 grant from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. This marks the second consecutive year the foundation has supported the program, which integrates gardening into the care plan for pediatric cancer patients.
Championed by Matthew Mayes, a Valley Children’s Clinical Research Coordinator, the club offers hands-on gardening experiences while promoting the cancer-fighting benefits of plants that thrive here in the Central Valley. The program also brings together expert gardeners, nutritionists, social workers and mental health professionals to emphasize education and holistic wellness.
We are deeply grateful to the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation for their continued advocacy and commitment to improving health outcomes through nutrition education, access and wellness programs. Their support helps us grow more than just plants, it helps us nurture resilience and healing.
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This past May, nine Costco warehouses across the Central Valley came together in support of Valley Children’s Hospital through the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals campaign. Their collective generosity and commitment resulted in an incredible $664,532 raised to support children and families receiving care at Valley Children’s.
A special congratulations goes to Costco warehouse #782 in Turlock, which led the region as the top fundraising warehouse, contributing an impressive $127,339 to the campaign. To celebrate their outstanding achievement, the team was treated to a well-deserved pizza party, recognizing not just their fundraising success, but their dedication to making a difference.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participating Costco locations in Modesto, Riverbank, Turlock, Merced, Fresno, West Fresno, Clovis, Visalia and Hanford. Your efforts help ensure that every child in the Central Valley has access to world-class care, close to home.
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At just 16 years old, Law has already made a lasting impression on our community. After volunteering at our NICU Graduate Picnic for the past two years, he was deeply moved by the stories of NICU families and wanted to give back in a meaningful way.
Taking the initiative, Law partnered with Buckingham Property Management Co. to launch the Caring Cupboard, a new resource providing dry food items to support NICU families during their hospital stay. At the company’s retreat on September 18, attendees were invited to bring donations, helping stock the cupboard and kickstart the program.
What began as a simple idea has grown into something extraordinary, a testament to Law’s compassion and leadership. We are profoundly grateful to Law for his heart for others, and to Buckingham Property Management Co. for helping bring his vision to life.
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We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make the Amanda Rosa Memorial Cornhole Tournament a success. Held in Modesto, the event honored Amanda’s legacy of love, kindness and community.
Thanks to the generosity of participants, volunteers and donors, all proceeds were given to the Oncology Department at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.
Special thanks to the dedicated team who organized this family-friendly day filled with food, games, opportunity drawings and silent auctions. Amanda’s spirit continues to inspire us all.
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In July, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar generously donated 15 percent of guests’ total bills to Valley Children’s Hospital when diners presented a special flyer. Thanks to the dedication of their team and the enthusiastic support of our community, the effort raised more than $1,000 to help meet the hospital’s greatest needs.
We’re incredibly grateful for this meaningful partnership. Your support helps bring hope and healing to those who need it most.
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On Root Beer Float Day, our friends at Marriott turned a sweet treat into meaningful support for kids in our community. Team members at the Fairfield by Marriott in Fresno joined forces with guests and community members to raise funds for Valley Children’s Hospital, all in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
We are incredibly grateful to Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy for their continued commitment to making a difference, and for giving families a reason to smile.
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Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children program aims to make hospitals less scary for children and their families!
Be sure to stop by your local Spirit Halloween store in October and show them this coupon to save 10% on your purchase, and Valley Children's Child Life Department will receive 10% of the purchase price. Thank you, Spirit Halloween Stores and employees, for your ongoing support!
There are 3 Spirit Halloween locations in Fresno, 3 in Bakersfield, 1 in Hanford, 1 in Visalia, 1 in Madera and 1 in Merced.
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Join us for the 18th Annual Happy Hearts Golf Tournament on October 9th at Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club. All proceeds will be benefiting Valley Children’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in loving memory of Heather Nugent. Come out and play for a purpose! For more details about how to register please reach out to Johnny Perez via phone at (559) 805-4009.
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Join us on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Valley Children’s Pelandale Specialty Care Center in Modesto for Drive for Hope, a family-friendly fundraiser co-hosted by Central Valley Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network. Enjoy an epic car show, tasty food trucks, vendors, a DJ and fun kids’ activities—all while raising funds and collecting toys to support the kids and families at Valley Children’s. Click here to donate or select from the sponsorship levels. | | |
Join us for a charity poker tournament on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. at Club One Casino in Fresno!
Buy in to the tournament for $100, with dinner served at 5:45 p.m. Rebuys for $20 will be available during the event until the first break. Sponsor a table for $1,000 (includes 9 entries, social media shoutouts before and after the event, an extra $1,000 in chips and recognition during the event).
Prizes will be awarded for 1st through 5th place. The top two winners will receive Derek Carr–signed memorabilia. Raffle entries are $20 for a chance to win additional prizes and gift cards.
Eighty percent of the proceeds from the tournament go to Valley Children’s Hospital to help fund patient care services and programs. This tournament is an Extra Life event. Extra Life is a fundraising program of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals that brings gamers of all kinds together to raise funds for their local children’s hospital.
Click here to register!
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