Children’s Miracle Network honors award recipients at annual kickoff
By Tricia Tomiyoshi
(SACRAMENTO)
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) raised more than $4.4 million to support UC Davis Children’s Hospital in 2025. One hundred percent of these dollars fund critical programs, innovation, family support and care for pediatric patients and families.
The announcement was made by the UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s CMN team, at an event this spring to recognize corporate partners and kick off the 2026 fundraising campaign.
The team also honored three extraordinary champions whose leadership, generosity and dedication helped make 2025 a remarkable year for children’s healthcare in Northern California.
Wil Davis was named the 2025 CMN Program Champion of the Year.
These were the award recipients:
2025 CMN Program Champion of the Year: Wil Davis
The 2025 CMN Program Champion of the Year award recognizes an outstanding individual whose commitment, leadership and passion have created meaningful impact for children and families served through UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
This year’s recipient was Wil Davis, Senior Project Manager with Porter, LLC.
“Wil has been an outstanding — and longstanding — partner and advocate of CMN at UC Davis Children’s Hospital,” said Kacie Merrick, CMN program director and managing senior director of UC Davis Children’s Hospital. “Wil is always the first to arrive, last to leave, and most passionate in the room when it comes to CMN and the importance of improved pediatric healthcare and outcomes. His creativity knows no bounds as he brings new opportunities to patients, families and caregivers.”
Davis has been instrumental in growing the CMN Play Yellow Golf Invitational, UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s signature fundraising program. Through various networks that he has built, Wil has been an integral part of expanding reach and success of this event, celebrating over $125,000 raised in 2025, a $15,000 increase over 2024.
“Far more than the numbers, Wil’s impact is felt in the way he brings people together, inspires participation and reminds others why this work matters. His name is known, spread and beloved across UC Davis Health,” Merrick said.
Ace Hardware Retail Support Center was named the 2025 CMN Partner Champion of the Year.
2025 CMN Partner Champion of the Year: Ace Hardware Retail Support Center
The 2025 CMN Partner Champion of the Year award recognizes a corporate partner whose dedication, generosity and commitment to community impact went above and beyond in support of children’s healthcare.
This year’s award recipient, Ace Hardware Retail Support Center, exemplifies the power of partnership.
As a longtime national partner of Children’s Miracle Network, Ace continues to demonstrate how meaningful impact happens locally through engaged leadership, passionate teams and a culture of giving that reaches every level of the organization, Merrick said.
“Through weekend events, ongoing in-store fundraising, team engagement and community connection, they continue to create brighter futures for local kids and families,” Merrick said. “Ace’s commitment has made them a standout leader across the CMN network and a trusted partner to UC Davis Children’s Hospital.”
Inaugural Lifetime Service Award: Michelle Linenberger
Michelle Linenberger received the inaugural CMN Lifetime Service Award.
This year marked the presentation of the first-ever Lifetime Service Award — a recognition created to honor an individual whose extraordinary dedication, leadership and compassion have left a lasting impact on UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network and the communities served.
Michelle Linenberger, UC Davis Children’s Hospital nursing professional development specialist, was the inaugural recipient.
For more than 28 years, Linenberger has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children and families through pediatric nursing, education, advocacy and philanthropy.
Her influence extends far beyond any one role. Throughout her career, Linenberger has served as a trusted leader, educator, collaborator and advocate — helping care teams grow in confidence, advancing pediatric care practices and creating meaningful support systems for healthcare teams.
Linenberger launched the Support U Peer Responder Program, strengthening resiliency and peer-to-peer support across the health system, and has contributed leadership through multiple terms on the Association for Nursing Professional Development Recognition Committee.
Most recently, Linenberger received the UC Davis Foundation’s 2025 Faculty/Staff Stewardship Award, recognizing her extraordinary ability to connect generosity to impact.
“Within Children’s Miracle Network, Michelle’s legacy is profound,” Merrick said. “As a longtime member of the CMN Executive Council and Business Council, she helped lead philanthropy efforts and served as a powerful advocate for ensuring donors understood the life-changing impact of their support. Michelle has not simply supported this mission, she has helped shape it.”
About Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis Children’s Hospital
UC Davis Children’s Hospital was one of the nation’s first hospitals to join Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), an international nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for, and awareness of children’s hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the nation and in Canada. Countless individuals, organizations and media partners unite with Children’s Miracle Network to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to the network create miracles by funding medical care, programs, research and equipment that save and improve the lives of 10 million children each year.
