The people of the Valley have done it again!

Valley Children’s Hospital announced Wednesday (March 13) afternoon that this year’s Kids Day raised $634,301.82 — a record total for the 32nd annual event.

On March 5, more than 8,000 volunteers spread throughout the region hawking special Kids Day editions of The Fresno Bee for a suggested donation of $1. The goal was ambitious: Raise $625,00 for the hospital and its patients.

Nearly $10 Million Raised Over 32 Years

Including this year’s record total, Kids Days is nearing $10 million raised since it began since 1988.

We imagine that many people were inspired to give because their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have been patients at the hospital.

Inspired by Maddox’s Story

Or possibly they were moved by Maddox’s story. If you aren’t familiar with it, here are a few snippets.

Maddox spent 153 days in Valley Children’s Hospital’s Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He was born 16 weeks early and weighed less than two pounds.

Today, Maddox is a first-grader at a Fresno elementary school. He loves music and playing with his younger sister, Raegan. She was also born at 26 weeks and spent months in Valley Children’s NICU.

Kids Day is sponsored by The Fresno Bee and ABC30.

Watch: Maddox’s Story