Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run top achievers receive awards
WASHINGTON, DC (August 20, 2018) — Credit Union Miracle Day (CUMD), the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, recently presented awards to the top credit union running team, fastest credit union runners, most spirited volunteer team and top fundraisers.
- The winner of the Credit Union Cup, for the fastest team time, was “NASA FCU METEORS.” The credit union has won the cup a record seven times. CEO Doug Allman and Chair John Sissala accepted the trophy.
- The fastest credit union female was Melissa Vess of NASA FCU with a time of 1:09:41; Melissa also finished 11th among all Credit Union Team Runners, both male and female. CEO Doug Allman and Chair John Sissala accepted the award on her behalf.
- The fastest credit union male was Alvin Yew of NASA FCU with a time of 59:04; Alvin was the only Credit Union Team runner to break the 60-minute barrier this year. CEO Doug Allman and Chair John Sissala accepted the award on his behalf.
- The Most Spirited Volunteer Team award went to State Department FCU at the 5k Bag Check tent. The race organizers selected the team for taking leadership of the 5k Bag Check Tent (requiring excellent organizational abilities and a customer-friendly demeanor) with great heart, enthusiasm and commitment. CEO Jan Roche, Kevin Everette, Regina Hicks and Zulma Ventura accepted the award.
There are two award categories for fundraising. The first is the most raised in the credit union Organization Donation Challenge which was won by:
- NRL FCU at 65 cents per member. CEO Kristin Shultz Jesse Bell accepted the award.
The other fundraising award is the most raised in the Member Donation Challenge which was won by:
- Constellation FCU at 42 cents per member. CEO Bobby Josephson, Anne Katzer and Dee Munday accepted the award.
Officials presenting the awards included Theresa Mann, CEO of The Partnership FCU and CUMD Chair; John Bratsakis, CEO of the MD|DC Credit Union Association and CUMD Vice Chair; Karen Rosales, CEO of Arlington Community FCU and CUMD Director; Ronda Polhamus, Director of Credit Union Miracle Day; Phil Stewart, Race Director and Becky Lambros, Deputy Race Director.
In the 17 years credit unions have been title sponsors of the Run, over $8 million has been donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNHs) nationwide. CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU serve as co-lead partners with CUMD.
The April 8 race yielded many positive results:
- 214 Members of Congress from 44 states, DC and three U.S. territories signed on in support of the race
- 606 Congressional staffers participated in the race
- $380,000 was donated to CMNHs
- Over 700 credit union volunteers helped on race weekend
NASA FCU’s runner Melissa Vess (not pictured) won Fastest Credit Union Female. CEO Doug Allman (second from left) and Chair John Sissala (center) accepted on her behalf.
State Department FCU won the Most Spirited Volunteer Team award. From left to right: Theresa Mann, Regina Hicks, Kevin Everette, Zulma Ventura and CEO Jan Roche.
NRL FCU won the Organization Donation Fundraising Challenge award. From left to right: Jesse Bell Karen Rosales, CEO Kristin Shultz, Ronda Polhamus and John Bratsakis.
NASA FCU’s runner Alvin Yew (not pictured) won Fastest Credit Union Male. CEO Doug Allman (second from left) and Chair John Sissala (center) accepted on his behalf.
“NASA FCU Meteors” won fastest credit union team in the Credit Union Cup Challenge. From left to right: John Bratsakis, Doug Allman, John Sissala, Phil Stewart, Becky Lambros.
Constellation FCU won the Member Donation Challenge Award. From left to right: Theresa Mann, CEO Bobby Josephson, Anne Katzer, and Dee Munday.
About Credit Union Miracle Day
Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. is a 501c3 organization founded in 2001 as a consortium of credit unions dedicated to showcasing the difference credit unions make in their communities nationwide through support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Nationwide, credit unions are the 3rd largest fundraisers for CMN Hospitals further demonstrating their strong commitment to their communities and underscoring the positive impact that credit unions make to consumers. To learn more about Credit Union Miracle Day, visit miracleday.org.
About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom, sponsored by Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc, in partnership with co-lead partners, CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU, 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.
The event is a proud member of the PRRO Circuit (www.PRRO.org), a five-race non-marathon prize money circuit with events in Utica, NY, Tampa, FL, Washington, DC, Spokane, WA and Pittsburgh, PA. The circuit is committed to a drug-free sport and funds Clearidium to conduct drug testing in compliance with IAAF standards at all circuit events.
