Credit unions celebrate 17 years of race title sponsorship and bring congressional offices together to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Credit unions present check for $380,000 to CMNH at Capitol Hill event
MADISON, WI (April 6, 2018) — In advance of the 17th Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run® and Capitol Hill Competition on Sunday, April 8, credit unions and industry partners, presented a $380,000 check Thursday to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). Since credit unions became the title sponsors of the run in 2002, more than $8 million has been donated to CMNHs nationwide.
“This popular run presents a unique opportunity to make a difference for children being cared for at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and raises visibility and awareness about all the good credit unions do for their members and communities, said John Bratsakis, Chair of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Race Committee. “We are grateful for the support of co-lead partners, CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU, and the hundreds of credit union volunteers who donate their time to this event.”
The annual run brings Congressional offices together to support CMNH. As part of the larger run, more than 600 House and Senate staffers have formed 55 teams and will engage in a spirited and friendly Capitol Hill Competition, sponsored by the Congressional Federal Credit Union and United States Senate Federal Credit Union, with support from Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). 211 members of Congress from 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and Guam are serving as Honorary Co-chairs this year.
“The Children’s Miracle Network does such phenomenal work for so many families,” said Sean Zimmermann, Congressional Federal President/CEO. “Sponsoring this competition is one of the most effective opportunities we as a credit union have to give back to the community each year. In excess of 200 members of Congress have recognized our efforts to raise awareness for children’s hospitals by becoming honorary race chairs, and we are honored to have them join us.”
Known for their collaborative spirit, hundreds of credit union employees will be pitching in over the weekend to volunteer at water stops, corrals and other stations, and over 8,100 credit union members will be running in this year’s race. Industry trade associations CUNA and NAFCU have been longtime supporters of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run®.
“We are honored to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the 17th annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run,” said CUNA president/CEO Jim Nussle. “It’s great to see participants from both sides of the aisle come together to support children’s hospitals and champion community good. Thank you to the credit unions and their members across the country who raised more than $300,000 for local hospitals.”
“As a longtime champion of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run, NAFCU is extremely honored to participate in this race benefiting children’s hospitals every year,” said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “Not only does this event bring people together in support of a great cause, but it gives a voice to the nearly 1-in-10 children across the nation who are treated by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This race is emblematic of the credit union spirit of giving back to our surrounding communities, and we thank the men and women who come from all across the nation to make it a success.”
• Catherine Safady, VP Membership & Sales, NAFCU
• Phil Stewart, Race Director
• Eili Joseph, Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer, CUNA
• John Bratsakis, President/CEO, MD|DC Credit Union Association
• Felicity Guerin, CU4Kids Development Manager, CUNA
• Sean Zimmerman, CEO, Congressional Federal Credit Union
• Tim McAdow, VP Sales Operations & Marketing, CUNA Mutual Group
• Ken Kramer, President/CEO, United States Senate Federal Credit Union
• Jan Roche, President/CEO, State Department FCU
• Merry Pateuk, VP of Corporate Communications, PSCU
• Theresa Mann, President/CEO, The Partnership FCU
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About the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile
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.
