Valley Children’s Hospital. File Photo.

The Save Mart Companies announced this week that stores throughout the Central Valley will be participating in the company’s annual fundraiser supporting Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera.

A total of 56 Save Mart and FoodMaxx locations will be participating in the fundraiser, which gives shoppers the opportunity to donate at checkout lines in each Central Valley location.

“We are humbled to partner once again with Valley Children’s Hospital to support critical research and medical treatment for children in the communities we serve,” said Donovan Ford, The Save Mart Companies’ Senior Vice President of retail operations and supply chain. “All of our Save Mart and FoodMaxx stores in the Central Valley are proud participants.”

Ford went on to paise the generosity of Valley shoppers throughout the years, highlighting the importance of pediatric hospital services to the families and children of Valley residents.

The fundraiser, which includes Save Mart and FoodMaxx stores throughout the Valley, will provide 100% of campaign donations to fund vital research and lifesaving treatment initiatives for children served by the hospital.

“Save Mart has been a generous partner supporting Valley Children’s for nearly four decades,” said Robert Saroyan, President of Valley Children’s Healthcare Foundation. “We are thrilled that Save Mart continues to invest in the Central Valley’s future by raising funds that help us provide the best care for kids, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Valley Children’s Healthcare has provided care to 1.3 million children since opening in 1952. The hospital serves patients throughout the Central Valley, with a new cochlear implant center opening earlier this year, and a new behavioral health center, already assisting patients in telehealth, which is scheduled to open in 2023.