Fresno, CA – The International Agri-Center® and World Ag Expo® and the Central Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check in the amount of $80,000 to Valley Children’s Hospitalduring the hospital’s All Guild Picnic at the Belmont Country Club on May 23, in Fresno, California.
The check represented the total funds raised by the Guilds of Valley Children’s Hospital, who participated in World Ag Expo’s® Toyota Tundra Giveaway by selling chances to win a new 2018 Tundra. The proceeds from the giveaway will directly benefit the Central California hospital.
“It was amazing to see and hear from so many visitors at World Ag Expo, how Valley Children’s has touched and saved the lives of so many throughout the Valley,” shared Sandy Cetti, Manager for the Guilds. “Because of the dream of five women in 1949, their vision of building a children-only hospital became a reality through their fundraising efforts. Today, 69 years later, the Guilds of Valley Children’s continue the long-standing support through the efforts of all 15 Guilds throughout the Central Valley. The relationship with International Agri-Center and Toyota, along with the community’s support enables the Guilds to bring “The Best” to the children of the Central Valley. The Guilds are currently fundraising to endowments supporting: the Heart Center ($2M), Child Life ($1M) and Spiritual Care ($1M) departments. These endowments will ensure that our patients receive the newest and most innovative cardiac treatments to mend broken hearts, ensure our patients and families continue to benefit from therapeutic play activities that reduce anxiety and promote healing, and ensure every child, parent, visitor and staff member receives Spiritual Care to bring peace in the midst of heartache.”
The Tundra truck, won by Alfredo Garcia of Bakersfield, CA on the final day of World Ag Expo®, was donated by the Central Valley Toyota Dealers, through their role as the Official Truck of World Ag Expo®.
“We are grateful to all who purchased tickets in the 2018 giveaway and for the opportunity to continue our partnership with Valley Children’s Hospital and Toyota,” said Jerry Sinift, Chief Executive Officer, International Agri-Center®. “We are honored to provide a way to support our local children’s hospital and are proud of the work they are doing in our community.”
The 2019 World Ag Expo® Toyota Tundra Giveaway, benefiting Valley Children’s Hospital, is set to kick off ticket sales this fall.
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The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 12-14, 2019 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 70 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.
The Guilds of Valley Children’s Hospitalhave been raising funds since 1949, having raised over $29.5 million. The Guilds remain dedicated to their long-standing missionof raising funds, advocating for children and promoting goodwill for Valley Children’s Hospital and their objectivesof raising financial support and developing ongoing community support. In addition to the main campus in Madera, there are now Specialty Care Centers in Bakersfield, Modesto and Visalia.
The Central Valley Toyota Dealers have been a sponsor of the World Ag Expo® for a number of years, every year providing a Toyota truck to World Ag Expo® for the giveaway, as well as helping raise funds for the partnered charity.