Coronavirus concerns caused Valley Children’s Hospital to cancel this year’s Kids Day fundraiser in which 8,000 volunteers would have sold copies of The Fresno Bee.
But the giving will continue Tuesday with “Kids Day: Digital Edition.”
“This year’s Kids Day may take the volunteers off of street corners but it will still give everyone a chance to make a difference in the life of a child and, for that, we are grateful,” said Valley Children’s President and CEO Todd Suntrapak in a statement released Monday afternoon.
The event, which is sponsored by The Bee and ABC30, has raised nearly $10 million since 1987. Kids Day volunteers raised more than $634,000 in 2019.
Last year, the Valley Children’s system had 305,725 outpatient visits and 108,335 emergency room visits. And, 21,781 surgeries were performed.
Text GEORGE to 20222 to make an automatic $10 donation or visit valleychildrens.org/kidsday and choose an amount to give, starting at $1.
Kids Day stories produced this year by reporters will be at fresnobee.com and at abc30.com.
Last week, Valley Children’s announced a new visitor policy and other operational changes in an effort to keep patients, families and healthcare providers as safe as possible from the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
Kids Day Will Resume Next Year
”Thank you to all who have reached out to Valley Children’s to support our work in caring for the kids of this Valley,” Suntrapak said. “We look forward to seeing thousands of volunteers on intersections throughout our communities on Kids Day next year.”
Other upcoming Valley Children’s-sponsored events that attract large crowds of patients, families and community members will be rescheduled when COVID-19 is better understood and better controlled — and when better data is available on its impact, hospital officials said.
Coronavirus Prevention Tips
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
