Valley Children's Hospital receives $10,000 donation

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Every day, Valley Children's Hospital serves hundreds of children in our community. Their good works recently caught the attention of a well-known show, thanks to one viewer, and Valley Children's was named to the "Wheel of Fortune" Secret Santa Sweepstakes.

On Friday, Action News got a chance to help play Santa too.

"As a part of Secret Santa Sweepstakes, and on behalf of the 'Wheel of Fortune' and Children's Miracle Network, ABC30 would like to present Valley Children's Hospital with this check for $10,000," ABC30 General Manager Dan Adams announced.

Some patients and their families were on hand for the exciting news, including our ambassador family. Hospital officials say they'll be able to use the donation right away.

"This money will go to the children's fund, which plays a key role in helping us pay for services like our child life program, that really is a program that's focused on distracting children while they have a procedure or helping them learn in our classroom or in their room," said Valley Children's Hospital CEO Todd Suntrapak.

The Pickett family says it's a donation that will help many children. Fourteen-month-old Davey has had heart surgery, and her parents say they've found rest within these walls.

"They save lives every day, and she's one of them. Had we not had this surgery here, I don't know what we would have done. This place has been a lifesaver for us in many ways," said Brittney Stanley, Davey's mother.

Helping families across the Valley receive care in their own backyard. Now with this donation, organizers say they can't wait for Kids Day on Tuesday, March 3.