Charlie’s Buddies was started with the idea of giving back to those that gave so much to my wife and I while our son, Charlie, was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Charlie was admitted to the NICU, first at Torrance Hospital and then at UCLA Children’s Hospital, for the 5 months and 1 day following his birth and up to his passing. Instead of receiving flowers at Charlie’s church service, we asked our friends and family to instead make a donation on behalf of Charlie. The idea being that the gifts received would last longer than a bouquet of flowers. We did not imagine the generosity of the gifts we received. The original idea of substituting flowers for a small donation then grew into a larger idea …Charlie’s Buddies.

This idea of Charlie’s Buddies was conceived in September of 2001 with the goal of helping parents and their children with a more comfortable stay while in the hospital’s care for an extended time. Charlie, for whom Charlie’s Buddies was start, was a bright and vibrant young guy who unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity to see the world. Although Charlie may have only been with us for 5 months, he touched hundreds (probably thousands) of people’s hearts through his strength, big blue eyes and of course, his smile. He was able to touch lives in ways I didn’t think were possible.

Our goal with Charlie's Buddies is to help enhance the quality of life for both the infants with a life threatening illness as well as their families. Charlie’s Buddies currently focuses on families and their children in the Southern California area (Los Angeles and Orange Counties), but with continued support hopes to extend its reach beyond Southern California. Charlie would be proud that his legacy has been used to help other children whom are faced with critically ill circumstances.

Income is achieved through several methods: direct contributions, sponsorships, event fundraising, grants, and corporate charity community programs. The cornerstone of the Charlie’s Buddies fundraising efforts is simple donations contributed individuals, families, and businesses wishing to help a lending hand or donate in memory of someone special. Your contributions are not only well appreciated but, Charlie’s Buddies guarantees to utilize the funds, gifts, and/or services donated to help comfort those parents and their children while in a hospital in any manner we can think of, but always in the best interest of the infants and families.

Such donations will go towards purchasing new rocking chairs for the parents to hold their child, mobiles for the children’s development and playtime, toys, funding and maintaining special programs at a hospital's NICU, and/or anything else that would make their stay a little more comfortable. Such programs include "Charlie's Buddies Caring Hands" and “Charlie’s Buddies Capture a Smile” as well other custom programs, such as, "Charlie's Buddies Buddy Bag”. These ongoing programs are a huge success in the NICUs, as we are told through letters and phone calls from parents. Check out the “Programs” link in the menu above for more information about these special programs and the “CB Kids” link to read letters from parents.

Revenues are also generated from our annual special event, Charlie’s Buddies Annual Golf Shootout. This tournament is scheduled for the summer of each year and promises a good time to all golfers (any skill level), sponsors, and volunteers.

We are also very pleased to have worked with another organization called “The Bowel and Liver Transplant Kids”, headed up by Yolanda Rangel. We started working with this organization in 2003 and hope to continue in our combined goals by giving back to others.

Another very strong supporter of Charlie’s Buddies is Tiny Love. Tiny Love has donated mobiles, crib side toys, and other award winning child developmental toys through Charlie’s Buddies to those families with children in our local area NICUs.

A Board of Directors governs Charlie’s Buddies with representation from throughout the community. An Advisory Board with members from the county, California, and various other states assist in providing additional board support as well.