The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild Chapter was founded in 2002 by a group of active leaders led by The Honorable Shirley Pettis Thompson and Jane Woolley, M.D. The heart of this chapter is firmly rooted in appreciation for the service Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital provides to critically ill desert community children.

The Guild is committed to educating the public to view Children’s Hospital as THE BEST place for our valley’s children when they are sick or injured. The Guild believes that ‘our children deserve the best’!

Join Our Chapter

The Desert Guild invites you to join us in providing health, wholeness and healing for the children of our Valley. If your big heart is willing to share our passion and vision please join our Desert Guild today. Lending your time, talents, financial support and skills will bless the Little Hearts who need your healing touch. Any and all contributions are appreciated.

If you wish to contribute, please contact us today to find out how you can volunteer or click the link below to join as a donor/member.

Join today

Support provided by the Desert Guild in the 2023-2024 season

  • $350,000 to support pediatric cancer care and treatment
  • 3,000 reading books to the Indio Clinic
  • 2,000 blankets to our patients
  • 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop bears with Disney outfits
  • 150 Christmas-themed teddy bears
  • 150 Easter-themed teddy bears

Support provided by the Desert Guild in the 2022-2023 season

  • 150 Christmas-themed teddy bears
  • $500,000 to support pediatric cancer care and treatment
  • 300 Build-A-Bear Workshop bears with outfits
  • $25,000 to support Woolley-Pettis Endowed Chair for Pediatric Cancer

Support provided by the Desert Guild in the 2021-2022 season

  • $50,000 to support the annual LLU Children’s Hospital Foundation Gala
  • 150 Christmas-themed teddy bears
  • $50,000 to purchase the CATSmart machine
  • 150 Easter-themed teddy bears
  • 300 Build-A-Bear Workshop bears with outfits
  • $100,000 to support the Woolley-Pettis Endowed Chair for Pediatric Cancer

Impact Reports

2025

2024

2023

Upcoming Events

  • View the upcoming events here.

All Events

For more information, please email [email protected] or call 909-558-5010.