In 1949 a group of civic –minded women saw the need for a dedicated pediatric hospital in our valley. As these five women moved forward with their vision of creating a “hospital for children only”, so emerged the idea of a guild system. Since their inception, the Guilds have been a vital part of the hospital. It was through the fundraising efforts of the original Guilds that Valley Children’s Hospital was Constructed in 1952 at its original site.
Made up of members from throughout Kings County in 1949 the newly formed Kings Guild set to work raising money to help construct the hospital with their first event be-ing a “Follies” variety show. Although successful, it was a huge undertaking. The members switched to an annual themed dinner dance featuring different locations and lively themes including ‘Gay Paree, Hawaiian Luau and Gold Rush in Silver City.’ Many remarkable events followed over the next 67 years.
Today each May, Kings Guild hosts an extraordinary event catered and designed by members at the home of Roy Fialho in Lemoore. A new theme each year sets the mood for an amazing evening including hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing, auctions, gambling, premium wine bar, cigar bar, barista and much more. Truly an event to remember.
Through the generous, and continued support of the community of Kings County and beyond, Kings Guild is one of the leading contributors to Valley Children’s Hospital Guild funded projects.
There are 15 Guilds throughout the hospital’s service area. “They are the heart and soul of Valley Children’s Hospital” states Carolyn Peck, founding mother of Valley Children’s Hospital. The Guilds are the largest financial contributors, raising over $26.5 million and have recently made the largest single donation—$5 million towards the establishment of The Guilds Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Endowment.
Currently, the Guilds are raising funds towards: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). This program is the only one of its kind in the central valley. ECMO provides heart and lung support to critically ill children, giving them a chance to heal when conventional treatments are no longer enough. With the support of the Guilds, the hospital will expand the capacity of the program, invest in training and simulation, and enhance follow up care for ECMO patients and their families. Click the link for more information: Current Guild Funding Projects | Valley Children’s Healthcare
