Press
Coast-to-Coast – Credit Union Miracle Day events a success
$525,852 donation to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals
WASHINGTON, DC (April 12, 2015) — Credit Union Miracle Day, the title sponsor group of a family of races, today presented its $525,852 donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) nationwide representing two popular races on the east and west coasts. Of that amount, nearly $100,000 has been raised online by over 300 credit union members, runners, their families and friends. Since credit unions became the title sponsors in 2002, over $7 million has been donated to CMNHs nationwide.
“These spectacular race events demonstrate the power of credit unions to unite for a great cause, the health of children,” said Theresa Mann, chair of Credit Union Miracle Day. “We are so pleased to reach the $7 million donation mark, and appreciate all of the credit unions and business partners which donate their financial and human resources to achieve these positive results.”
Two races, coast to coast, sponsored by credit unions and their business partners through Credit Union Miracle Day, had exciting results. At the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C. Mary Wacera of Kenya was the fastest female runner at 48:34. The top male runner was Stephen Sambu also of Kenya at 43:20.
At the Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run in Sacramento, California, the top male runner was Jordan Chipangama of Flagstaff, AZ, at 48:24, and the top female runner was Jane Kibii from Auburn, CA at 54:17, a new course record.
Members of Congress signed on to be honorary race chairs – 171 – representing 43 states.
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Today was the 43rd running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, starting at 7:30 a.m. on the Washington Monument Grounds, Washington, D.C. on a spectacular sunny day with the cherry blossom in full bloom. The race course is a fast, flat route around the iconic memorials in the nation’s capital. The race was in the “bucket list” of things to do in D.C. in the March issue of the Washingtonian Magazine.
“Another great year of credit union participation in a phenomenal race to help children needing medical treatment at our local children’s hospitals,” said Charlie Mallon, chair of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Committee and president and CEO of Congressional FCU. “We are grateful for the hundreds of credit union volunteers who help on race weekend, and the hundreds of Members of Congress who support this cause.”
Over 800 congressional staffers participated in the race, which is known as the “Runner’s Rite of Spring.”
Due to a pre-race accident on part of the 10 mile course, the course had to be slightly abbreviated to allow a police investigation to proceed unimpeded.
Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run
The Fifth Annual Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run took place today at 7:00 a.m. in downtown Sacramento. Over 1,500 runners including more than 500 credit union participants, were in the event which started and finished in front of the state capitol building, and featured a 10-mile race, the UC Davis Children’s Hospital Miracle fun run and fitness walk, and a 5-mile race (new this year). More than 200 credit union staff and members worked at the event as volunteers.
“We’re honored to join the Sacramento Running Association, for the fourth consecutive year, in hosting such a wonderful event. The involvement of California and Nevada credit unions spotlight our mission of changing people’s lives. We are thrilled to have exceeded our fundraising goal this year, raising more than $140,000 that will benefit local Children’s Hospitals throughout both states,” said Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
Credit Union Miracle Day
Since becoming the title sponsors of races in 2002, Credit Union Miracle Day, a collaboration of over 100 credit unions and business partners and CUSOs, has donated over $7 million to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country, under the umbrella of Credit Unions for Kids. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an alliance of premier children’s hospitals which treat 10 million critically ill children annually, regardless of their ability to pay.
Credit Union Miracle Day’s Family of Races also includes a Freedom Run at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait on April 12, and a Freedom Run at Wiesbaden Army Garrison in Germany on April 18.
Credit Union Miracle Day is the 2013 proud recipient of the National Credit Union Foundation’s Outstanding Program Award.
Credit unions and their business partners can still support the Family of Races benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by becoming a sponsor. Visit www.miracleday.org.
About Credit Union Miracle Day
Credit Union Miracle Day is a partnership of credit unions, CUSOs and partner organizations united to sponsor a Family of Races benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals under the umbrella of Credit Unions for Kids. The Family of Races includes the April 12, 2015 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C., the April 12, 2015 Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run in Sacramento, California, and two Freedom Runs for our troops overseas. For more information, visit www.miracleday.org.
About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom is known as “The Runner’s Rite of Spring” in the Nation’s Capital. The staging area for the event is on the Washington Monument Grounds and the course passes in sight of all of the major Washington, DC Memorials. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a consortium of 170 premier children’s hospitals across North America. About one-third of the funds raised support Washington, DC’s own Children’s National Medical Center (“Children’s Hospital”). The event also funds two $5,000 Road Runners Club of America “Roads Scholar” grants designed to support up-and-coming U.S. distance running talent.
About Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run
The Fifth Annual Credit Union SacTown Ten-Mile Run is sponsored by credit unions and credit union businesses throughout California and Nevada, including the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. The race is hosted by the Sacramento Running Association. The flat, fast course starts and finishes at the California state Capitol and leads runners through the “best of Sacramento.” The 2015 Credit Union SACTOWN10 will serve as the Pacific Association 10-Mile Championship. For more information, visit http://sactown10.org/.