Dayka & Hackett, LLC, a Reedley-based grower/shipper/importer of fresh fruit, recently donated $25,000 to Children’s Hospital, granting the company lifetime membership into the Hospital’s Corporate Council.
Children’s was the latest area non-profit to benefit from the 5-year-old company’s ongoing commitment to philanthropy.
“The company has done very well, and they wanted to give back to the community,” said Meghan Dayka, wife of Dayka & Hackett co-founder Tim Dayka. “All of the employees are allotted a certain amount of money to pick where they would like to donate, and we try to keep it within the Valley. We thought that Children’s was a good cause.”
For the Daykas, the gift is more than just a corporate donation. It’s a way to say thanks to the hospital that saved their children’s lives a decade ago.
Born prematurely at just 27 weeks, twins Alexandra and Kayleigh Dayka spent the first two months of their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s. They each weighed less than three pounds and lacked the physical development needed to breathe on their own. But thanks to the around-the-clock care they received from the neonatal specialists at Children’s, the twins were able to go home about a month before their scheduled delivery date. Their incredible story was even featured on the cover of The Fresno Bee’s 2001 Kids Day Special Edition.
Today, the twins are healthy, happy 4th graders at Fresno Christian School. Kayleigh plays soccer, Alexandra is active in a drumming performance band, and both girls ride and show horses.
“They are both our little miracles and Children’s Hospital saved them,” said Meghan. “We are eternally grateful for that.”
Dayka & Hackett’s $25,000 donation will benefit Children’s Hospital’s endowment for Excellence. This fund supports many of the day-to-day operations at Children’s. For instance, the Endowment supports Child Life as well as ongoing programs such as the Craycroft Center, the Pediatric Diabetes Care Center, and quality of life programs including spiritual support.
The gift also makes Dayka & Hackett a Corporate Council Cornerstone member, which grants the company lifetime membership into the Council. The Corporate Council is made up of businesses across the Valley that help support the mission of Children’s Hospital though various promotions, activities and general collaboration.
Meghan says the company is pleased to be a part of the Corporate Council, and encourages other area businesses to get involved, as well.
“Children’s Hospital is the leading place for kids in the Valley. We need to be involved and help it continue to grow. I think it’s critical for people in the Valley to give back to the most important things we have, and Children’s Hospital is one of them.”
WILMINGTON, Delaware – Rodrigo Lazo has joined Dayka & Hackett LLC as Operations Manager, a new position. ‘The Company’s growth across all categories created the opportunity for this important position” Dayka Hackett, LLC Managing Member Ralph Hackett stated. “Rodrigo brings broad experience, product knowledge and management skills that will be invaluable in assisting us with our incremental growth”. Rodrigo will oversee port and warehouse operations, supervise logistics and inspection functions and focus on customers and their specific needs. Rodrigo will maintain his office at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware. “Rodrigo is very knowledgeable in all aspects of post harvest handling and the related logistics processes for fruit imports”.
