SEATAC, WA (May 16, 2017) — While it may be rare in most industries for businesses to ditch their competitive models, and collaborate, it’s typical in the world of credit unions. As not-for-profit, cooperative, financial services providers, credit unions are owned by their members, and working together to serve communities is in their “DNA.”
This spring, six regional Children’s Miracle Network(CMN) hospitals received red wagons stuffed with toys and games sure to make a child’s hospital stay a little less scary. Along with that good cheer was $320,330.04 in cash to fund research, support for families of hospitalized children, and lifesaving medical equipment. For example, $10,000.00 will buy a critical care crib, and $500 will buy a fetal heart monitor.
The money was raised last fall during the Northwest Credit Union Association’s (NWCUA) annual Credit Unions for Kids auction. Credit Unions for Kids is the national credit union movement’s “charity of choice” and has raised over $150 million in behalf of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“Credit Unions for Kids was founded here in the Northwest and we’re proud of the difference we have made supporting CMN hospitals, patients, and their families.” said Carmen Vigil, community manager for the NWCUA. “When you think about the fact that any given day, 16,000 kids are treated in a CMN emergency room, or that every hour, 39 babies are treated in the newborn ICUs, there is a real need for the work credit unions are doing.”
In addition to the NWCUA auction, credit unions host fundraisers individually throughout the year.
Vigil and a team of credit union movement ambassadors just completed this year’s giving tour to each of the hospitals that are benefitting from the NWCUA auction. Hospitals receiving support include:
Vigil announced the Association’s 2017 Credit Unions for Kids auction will have a Kentucky Derby “Run for the Roses” theme and will take place during the MAXX Convention in Spokane October 24. The 2017 event will mark the first year that Idaho credit unions join the credit unions of Oregon and Washington in raising funds for CMN hospitals across the three-state region.
PeaceHealth Sacred Eugene Presentation
Seattle Children’s Wagon Presentation Full Group
The Northwest Credit Union Association is the trade association representing more than 175 not-for- profit, cooperative credit unions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and their 8.1 million consumer members. As not-for-profit cooperatives, credit unions look out for their members’ financial well-being. Everyone should open their eyes to a credit union. For more information, please visit: https://yourmoneyfurther.com
Lynn Heider
503.329.7208 | lheider@nwcua.org
Jenny Miller
jmiller@nwcua.org
208.713.9596 (Mobile)
