Celebrating 60 Years of Giving

Funds raised benefit The Guilds of Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Endowment

5/27/2009

The Guilds of Children’s Hospital Central California celebrated 60 years of supporting Central Valley children during their annual All Guild Picnic at Birdstone Winery in Madera. Tracy Lifer presents check to William Haug

During the lunch, Guild Coordinating Council Chair Tracy Lifer presented Children’s Hospital CEO William F. Haug with a check for $699,034. The funds represent a yearlong effort to raise money for The Guilds of Children’s Hospital Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Endowment. The Guilds have pledged to raise $1 million to establish the endowment. (Read more about the endowment and pledge.)

“The funds will help grow and foster this program over the years,” Lifer said. “This check represents the hard work these Guild members are doing in the communities explaining how important it is to support Children’s Hospital. I’m very proud of all of them.”

More than 200 Guild members attended the picnic. Each of the 15 Guilds recognized a volunteer of the year, and had a display featuring its history and how it raises money for the Hospital.

The Guilds of Children’s Hospital formed in 1949 to raise funds to establish a dedicated pediatric hospital in Central California. Since then, they have raised more than $20 million, making them the Hospital’s largest financial contributor.

“These Guilds have been the backbone of all of our fundraising and are our ambassadors to the community,” said James Meinert, Children’s Hospital Foundation vice president. “I have never in all my years witnessed such a dedicated and committed group of people to a cause.”

The picnic also honored the following women who have been Guild members for more than 50 years:

Holiday Guild