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GLCU to support Credit Unions for Kids philanthropy

(June 9, 2014) — Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) grew by 15,000 members in 2013 and expanded locations throughout Chicagoland resulting in a broader geographic reach and profile.  Along with that growth, the philanthropic mission at the Credit Union has also expanded.

GLCU is now aligned with a much broader mission on behalf of kids, called Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids).  CU4Kids is a nonprofit collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues/associations and business partners from across the country, engaged in fundraising activities to benefit 170 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.   Adopted as the Credit Union movement’s charity of choice, credit unions are the 3rd largest sponsor of CMN Hospitals (behind only Walmart and Costco) and, since 1996, have contributed over $120 million to CMN Hospitals nationwide.  CMN Hospitals treat millions of children every year and is the world’s largest children’s charity.

One hundred percent of every dollar donated by members of the Credit Union movement goes back to the CMN Hospitals. These funds help provide for new facilities, equipment, research, patient services and uncompensated care for families with limited or no insurance.

Here in Chicagoland, the local CMN Hospital is the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  Formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital is ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 children’s hospitals in the U.S.News & World Report 2013-14 Honor Roll rankings.  The hospital relies on philanthropic support to care for more than 153,000 children each year.

GLCU has established a fundraising goal of $10,000 for 2014.  This will be accomplished through staff donations for Miracle Jeans Days, raffles, bake sales at the branches, shred day donations and an online silent auction occurring in October.  Throughout 2014, for each new member to the Credit Union, GLCU will contribute $1.00 to the fundraising effort.  The public can donate to benefit CU4Kids at any GLCU branch or online at www.glcu.org.

PHOTO:
Staff from Great Lakes Credit Union present BizKid$ youth financial education DVD’s on behalf of the young patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

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