After watching a young mother lose their 9-year-old son to a rare disease, a group of dedicated women came together to do something, and that’s when PANDA (People Acting Now Discover Answers) began. The mission was simple: fuel the science and research that will help treat and cure devastating childhood diseases.

In 2000, PANDA hosted the valley’s first children’s fashion show to raise funds for the Steele Children’s Research Center. Now 24 years later, more than 1,000 PANDA models have walked the runway and helped PANDA’s board of volunteers raise more than $30 million to support pediatric medical research.

Beyond fundraising, at the heart of PANDA’s mission is empowering the next generation of philanthropists. PANDA provides every model family a variety of opportunities to expose kids to the power of giving back. From hosting a lemonade stand and donating the money to sick children to the PANDA Prowl, there are a variety of meaningful events leading up to the big day.