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What if a hospital could transform a child's life in ways you never imagined? Join me on a heartfelt exploration of Shriners Children's Hospital in Sacramento as I uncover the inspiring stories of resilience and hope. I sit down with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, Alan Anderson, who passionately shares how donations fuel life-changing healthcare and research that turns children's struggles into triumphs. Lindsey Wilder joins us to recount her daughter Taelley's remarkable journey from overcoming the challenges of a stroke and hydrocephalus to becoming a bright star of possibility, thanks to the dedicated support of Shriners' staff and therapies.

Discover the unique collaborations that make this children's hospital a hub of innovation and comprehensive care. Nestled near UC Davis, Shriners benefits from the expertise of medical school faculty and partnerships with organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities. These alliances provide crucial resources such as long-term housing and education for families. We look into the hospital's innovative funding model, which blends insurance revenue, community philanthropy, and historical endowment funds, emphasizing the importance of community support in meeting the rising demand for pediatric services.

As we celebrate Shriners' commitment to empowering young patients, hear about their efforts to expand healthcare access across the nation, alleviating burdens for pediatric specialties. Their multifaceted approach includes supporting children with special needs as they transition to adulthood, fostering self-advocacy and resource awareness. Feel the warmth and kindness as stories of siblings receiving gifts during hospital visits highlight the compassionate environment Shriners creates. With each personal story, witness the profound difference unrestricted donations make, ensuring every child receives the care, love, and opportunities they deserve.

Learn more about Shriner's Children's Hospital on their website: https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/northern-california

Chapter Summaries:

(00:00) Shriners Children's Hospital Sacramento Journey
(10:06) Pediatric Hospital Collaboration and Funding
(19:57) Expanding Pediatric Healthcare Access
(26:35) Shriners Hospital Funding and Impact
(39:16) Empowering Children With Special Needs
(48:35) Empowering Children Through Hospital Support

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

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This News Pod, I had the privilege of sitting down with James McCormick, CEO of the Sacramento Choral Society, to share a truly special announcement. Each year, the Choral Society presents its beloved Home for the Holidays concert — but this December marks an extraordinary milestone: the 30th anniversary of this Sacramento tradition!

James walks us through the history, the heart, and the magic behind this performance. From the 185 musicians on stage… to the breathtaking opening in total darkness… to the candlelit procession… to the audience sing-along that fills Memorial Auditorium with pure joy — this event is Sacramento at its most connected.

We also talk about:

• The 100th birthday of Memorial Auditorium and the generations of memories held within its walls
• The two remarkable leaders — James and conductor Don Kendrick — who have guided this tradition for all 30 years
• The new orchestral arrangements, guest soloist, decorations, lobby crafts, and even a visit from someone in a red suit (???)
• The changing audience and why young families are rediscovering this downtown holiday tradition
• A powerful piece on Christmas memories through the eyes of a child, narrated live

If you’ve never experienced Home for the Holidays, this is the year. And if it’s part of your family tradition — get ready. This one feels special.

Event Details:
📅 Saturday, December 13
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM
📍 Memorial Auditorium
🎟️ Tickets at SacramentoChoral.org or via Ticketmaster
📞 Save fees by calling the box office: 916-808-5181 (Tues–Fri, 10 AM–4 PM)

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...

In this episode of the Nonprofit Podcast Network, I sit down with Bryan Wagner, President/CEO of Goodwill Industries serving the Greater Sacramento region, and Gabriel Noriega, workforce development coordinator and former Goodwill program participant.

Most people know Goodwill for its familiar stores and donation drop-offs—but in our region, Goodwill is a $100 million nonprofit powering one of the largest workforce development missions in Northern California. With 34 stores, 17 donation centers, 4 outlets, 1,700 employees, and more than 5,000 people served annually, this conversation reveals the real engine behind the brand: transforming lives through the power of work.

In This Episode

• The 88-year history of Goodwill in Sacramento and the scale of its retail and logistics operation
• How donated goods fund 99% of Goodwill’s mission services
• The “life cycle” of a donation—from collection to retail to outlet to recycling
• The four core pillars of their mission:
  • Vocational services
  • Advocacy and referrals
  • Work experience and on-the-job training
  • Digital and financial literacy
• Gabriel’s journey from visually impaired job seeker to job coach helping others build confidence and careers
• How Goodwill partners with organizations like the Department of Rehabilitation and SETA
• The turnaround strategy that brought Goodwill back to its core purpose: selling donated goods to fuel workforce impact
• What unlimited resources could unlock—Goodwill’s vision for a Workforce Development Innovation Hub
• Why donations, partnerships, and community engagement remain the lifeblood of the mission

Key Takeaway

Goodwill is far more than a thrift store—it’s a workforce engine. Every donation and every purchase directly supports job seekers breaking barriers and Building Futures.

To learn more about Goodwill Industries, Sacramento, visit: https://goodwillsacto.org/

Chapter Timestamps:

(00:00) Goodwill Mission and Impact
(10:43) Community Partnerships and Sustainability
(18:05) Funding Strategies and Future Vision
(30:19) Nonprofit Operations and Personal Relaxation
(36:00) Mission Impact and Community Support

Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story! We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/ And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.