Valley Children’s commemorates 34th annual Kids Day through digital donations

UPDATE, March 10, 2021: According to Valley Children’s Healthcare manager of annual development Jessica Duarte, the current tally for Kids Day 2021 is over $261,000 and counting!

“Thank you so much for all you and The Feather are doing to support Valley Children’s through Kids Day,” Duarte said. “We appreciate you.”

Original article, March 8

Through over 70 years of dedication, Valley Children’s Hospital has restored comfort and hope into families through their specialty healthcare services. Since 1949, the clinic has assisted over a million kids across the Central Valley and holds a five-year title as one of the best children’s hospitals nationwide.

To extend their aid to families, the medical center relies on special events to raise money for children in need. Kids Day remains one of the most beloved traditions in the Central Valley. Teaming up with ABC30 and the Fresno Bee, Valley Children’s will mark it 34th year sponsoring the event.

Under normal circumstances, high school students and volunteers would gather around street corners before daylight to sell special-edition Kids Day newspapers to passing cars. With the unexpected plot twist of 2020 and Covid-19, digital donations became the primary way to raise money.

This year, Kids Day will take place Tuesday, March 9 and accept donations online or via text to prevent the potential spread of Covid-19. Though FCS students will not be passing out newspapers, leadership and publications teams will hold up posters to support the event.  

Manager of Annual Development at Valley Children’s, Jessica Duarte encourages community contribution. Duarte recognizes the importance of tradition when it comes to well known fundraising events like Kids Day.

“Donations from Kid’s Day go to support the “Children’s Fund” which provides a special opportunity for donors to give to the area of greatest need and ensure their support is helping children today,” Durante said. “This time-honored tradition continues to help raise much needed funds to help support the patients and families treated at Valley Children’s Hospital. We have been working diligently towards creating a safe way to carry on this Valley tradition through these unprecedented times.”

In its 32nd year, community volunteers raised around $600,000 for Valley Children’s Hospital. With irregularities brought on by Covid-19, last year’s event did not reach near the same amount yet still managed to gather around $178,000 in donations. Valley Children’s hopes to bring awareness to the community about ways to give through social media platforms and public outreaches.

Other fundraisers for Valley Children’s include ABC30 Futures Worth Fighting for Telethon and KISS Country for Kids Radiothon. To take part in this year’s event, either text ‘George’ to 20222 to make a quick $10 deposit or go online to valleychildrens.org. For more information on past Valley Children’s Kids Day, read Kids Day 2019 shows community involvement, compassion and watch The Feather video.

For more articles, check out The 38th Annual FCS Auction is online, March 10-20 or Podcasting creates connections through universal challenges.

Jewel Chandler can be reached via Twitter and via email.