In January 2025, more than 110 Kaiser Permanente Fresno employees and family members began the year by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy during a week of service featuring a variety of volunteer events.

The largest project took place at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, where 85 volunteers worked on beautification projects, created Lunar New Year decorations, and made animal enrichment toys.

Volunteers also donated children’s books to Live Again Fresno, an organization that provides mentorship, education and support to underserved youth. Over 50 books were collected for children who visit the zoo for after-school activities.

Nearby at Poverello House – which offers food, shelter, and social services to unhoused individuals and families – volunteers prepared food and served meals at Papa Mike’s Café.

In the afternoon, volunteers joined Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer’s Beautify Fresno initiative, cleaning up neighborhoods throughout the city.

As a virtual project, volunteers made no-sew blankets at home as part of the “project-in-a-box” opportunity. These fleece blankets were delivered to clients at Naomi’s House, an overnight shelter for women at Poverello House.

Other notable volunteer and outreach projects in 2025 include:

• Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Community education and walking team led by our Geriatric Committee
• American Heart Association Central Valley Heart and Stroke Walk: Kaiser Permanente Fresno nurses provided stroke education
• Clovis Trail Fest: Kaiser Permanente Fresno nurses provided stroke education
• Fresno County Breastfeeding Coalition Breastfeeding Awareness Walk: Community education and walking team
• Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival: Major sponsor and walking contingent
• Hinds LifeCare Angel Babies Walk/Run: Fundraising team and community education led by our Maternal/Child Health department
• Poverello House:
  • Emergency Department organizes an annual turkey drive to feed underserved and unhoused individuals and families.
  • Critical Care Unit and Telemetry team members coordinate a meal box drive with non-perishable food items.
  • Nurses organize a shoe and coat drive for men, women and children served by the organization.