Modesto-based E. & J. Gallo Winery is donating $500,000 to Valley Children’s Healthcare to support its expansion efforts in the North Valley, specifically the construction of the Pelandale Specialty Care Center in north Modesto.

Valley Children’s Vice President of Philanthropy and Chief Development Officer Robert Saroyan said the children’s health care provider is appreciative of E. & J. Gallo’s support and generosity.

“As Valley Children’s plans to enhance access to pediatric healthcare in Stanislaus County, we have been overwhelmed by the graciousness of the North Valley as a community,” Saroyan said in a statement. “We would like to publicly recognize E. & J. Gallo Winery and the Gallo family for their instrumental role as ambassadors who are sharing Valley Children’s vision with Stanislaus County families and businesses.”

Valley Children’s has cared for Stanislaus County children since Valley Children’s Hospital opened its doors in 1952. In 2003, Valley Children’s opened the McHenry Specialty Care Center in Modesto so families could see their pediatric specialists closer to home. That center saw nearly 9,900 outpatient visitors last year. That number is expected to triple to more than 27,500 annual visits in the next decade.

To meet the growing need, Valley Children’s plans to build the Pelandale Specialty Care Center, a 40,000 square-foot building that will sit on six acres in north Modesto. It is expected to open in late 2018.

Joseph E. Gallo, the president and CEO of E. & J. Gallo Winery, said the winery is proud to support the expansion of Valley Children’s.

“On behalf of the Gallo family and our more than 3,500 local employees, Gallo Winery is pleased to support Valley Children’s expansion efforts in Modesto,” Gallo said in a statement. “It is important and gratifying to know that children in our local community will have access to this new specialty care center.”