Tenaya Guild (1950)

On May 26, 1950, a group of Chowchilla ladies met in a library basement and formed a small club for the purpose of supporting the Valley's need for a dedicated children's hospital.

Fundraising began humbly with rummage and food sales. Later, they sold raffle tickets for a chance to win a knit dress, a calf and a Toyota. Eventually, the group progressed to host large dinners, dinner dances, and boutiques.

In the first and second years of fundraising, they donated just $400 to Valley Children's Hospital. So, with 13 members and $30 in the bank, the ladies decided that it was time to either sink or swim, and planned an extravagant Monte Carlo Night. The event was a huge success, raising more than $2,000 for Valley Children's Hospital.

On October 18, 1950, the ladies sent a letter to Valley Children’s Hospital stating that a new guild – named the Tenaya Guild – would be formed with 16 charter members, becoming an original 13 Guild.

Tenaya Guild will hold their an annual Christmas Gala Dinner Auction on Saturday, December 7, 2019. More info to come!

Membership is open to all in the Chowchilla area.

Tenaya Guild joins the other Guilds of Valley Children's in support of the $5M Guilds Center for Community Health endowment.