Tuskegee Airmen honored; $300,000 donation presented to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at American Heritage Credit Union’s annual Grand Illumination celebration
Event Honored Tuskegee Airmen, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Donations, and free holiday music and fireworks for community
PHILADELPHIA, PA (December 1, 2021) — American Heritage Credit Union (American Heritage) kicked off its 14th annual Grand Illumination on Saturday, November 27. Over 15,000 community members enjoyed the illumination of American Heritage’s main campus along with free holiday performances and fireworks, food donations, a contribution to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a special ceremony honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, and the awarding of $19,000 in sweepstakes prizes to American Heritage members.
At the kickoff event, families enjoyed a concert featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums. Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross lent a colonial flavor to the evening’s events as well. American Heritage’s 2022 Grand Vacation Sweepstakes winner was also selected from the five finalists and was awarded a $15,000 vacation. The Kids-N-Hope Foundation presented CHOP with a check for $300,000 to continue supporting its Music Therapy Program. Additionally, the Tuskegee Airmen were honored for their service during World War II and were presented with a check for $6,000 to further their educational efforts.
“Grand Illumination has been a long-standing tradition here in our community, and we are thrilled to have been able to bring the kickoff event back this year,” stated Bruce K. Foulke, President & CEO of American Heritage Credit Union and Chairman of the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. “We hope this event brings holiday cheer and excitement to our community and members, especially after the hardships many had faced throughout the year. We are also humbled and honored to have celebrated the accomplishments and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Finally, with this year’s presentation of $300,000 to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Kids-N-Hope Foundation has now contributed $2.3 million since its founding to our partners at CHOP.”
Each year, the American Heritage campus buildings and trees are illuminated by more than 400,000 lights, multiple light displays and two 40-foot illuminated trees. Anyone from the community can visit the American Heritage campus between November 28th until New Year’s Day and stroll the campus for free, enjoy the decorations, and take family photos. Members of the public can also remain in their car and drive around our campus and enjoy the lights as well.
For more information about Grand Illumination, visit AmericanHeritageCU.org/Lights.
American Heritage’s Grand Illumination Kick Off Event featured over 400,000 lights, seasonal music, special guests, and ended in a fireworks symphony to light the night sky.
The Kids-N-Hope Foundation presented Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia with $300,000 as their end of year contribution to continue supporting the hospital’s Music Therapy Program and other child life services they provide.
American Heritage honored the Tuskegee Airmen and presented them with a check for $6,000 to support their work of honoring the legacy of all those who were a part of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience from 1941-1946.
About American Heritage Credit Union
American Heritage Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative with more than $4.8 billion in assets serving more than 800 Workplace Partners and more than 310,000 members, with more than 35 locations across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Camden Counties. Founded in 1948, American Heritage Credit Union is now one of the top 75 largest credit unions in the United States and named Pennsylvania’s 2023 Best-in-State Credit Union by Forbes. For more information about American Heritage Credit Union please visit AmericanHeritageCU.org.
About the Kids-N-Hope Foundation
The Kids-N-Hope Foundation (“The Foundation”) was organized by American Heritage Credit Union in 1996, and provides support for Child Life Services, specially, Music Therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”) and other local hospitals within American Heritage’s Workplace Partner Program. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $2 million dollars through its fundraising efforts.
