At 5 A.M., student leadership, along with 4,000 other volunteers, began to sell papers for the 21st annual Kid’s Day, a collaboration of The Fresno Bee, ABC 30 news and Children’s Hospital Central California to raise funds for patients, March 11.

“It was worth sacrificing three hours of sleep to help sick kids get the chance to live a healthy life,? Kevin Damm, leadership vice president, ’09, said.

Coordinators of the event believe a large part of the fundraising process lies in the volunteers themselves. Gina Anderson, member of the Children’s Hospital Fundraiser Department, finds that student volunteers bring in the most cash flow.

“Student volunteers are vital to the success of the Kid’s Day Fundraiser because they make up the largest base of volunteers,” Anderson said. “Without them, Kid’s Day would never be able to bring in the money it does.

Volunteers in Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Merced, Mariposa and Kings counties sold the Kids Day edition. In Rick Bentley’s March 11, 2008, Fresno Bee article, “Buy a newspaper today, and you’ll help sick kids”, the publisher and president of the publication, Ray Steele, describes the reasons for the continued operation.

“Children’s Hospital is one of the jewels of Central California,” Steele said. “It provides outstanding care for our children’s injuries and illnesses. For more than two decades, Kids Day has focused attention on this critical health care provider while encouraging Valley residents to make a financial commitment to help the hospital provide important services to care for kids and grandkids.”

Proceeds from the sales of today’s special edition will go to Children’s Hospital Central California. The fundraiser began in 1988, and since then, more than $2.9 million has been raised.

Last year, organizers set a goal of $360,000, but transcended expectations to raise more than $425,000. According to Lisa Birrell, circulation-marketing manager of The Fresno Bee, this year’s goal is to top last year’s mark.

“We not only met our goal, but without even finishing counting yet we have already topped $450,000,” Anderson said. “We are very gracious to the community for help.”

Despite late paper delivery, the campus still sold papers for $1 each, raising $548. The truck’s late arrival delayed some teams until almost 6 A.M.

?I was doing anything to get the attention of the passing cars to raise money for this great cause,” John Dinsdale, ’09, said. “I was running around screaming and waving the papers and even offered customers a dance. After giving their money many drove away with a smile.”