Vote for Miracles smashes records
Winning hospitals will share in a $100,000 on behalf of America’s credit unions compliments of CO-OP Financial Services and CU Direct
DANA POINT, CA (December 20, 2017) — Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Credit Unions for Kids today announced the five winners of the 2017 Vote for Miracles campaign. Over the course of three weeks, more than 600,000 votes were cast more than doubling the vote total for last year’s promotion. In addition, members representing more than 3,000 credit unions cast votes during the campaign.
Walking away with the top prize of $50,000 with over 100,000 votes, was Hurley Children’s Hospital in Flint, MI. This is Hurley’s second straight Vote for Miracles win. The funds will help create a special treatment room for pediatric victims of child abuse. From the décor, to an interactive gaming system to distract the child, to comfortable furniture, every aspect of this room will be designed with these young victims in mind. Once the project is completed, Credit Unions for Kids, CO-OP Financial Services and CU Direct will be recognized with a plaque commemorating the gift.
“We are grateful beyond words for the powerful display of support for Hurley Children’s, our credit unions and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Linda Tracy-Stephens, CMN Hospitals Director at the Hurley Foundation. “Because we are so passionate about helping these young children who are victims of physical, sexual and human trafficking abuse this gift from our credit union partners means the world to us.”
Making the win even sweeter was an additional $20,000 gift on behalf of Dr. Alan Klein, a pediatric dentist on staff at Hurley.
Another key player in Hurley’s success was ELGA Credit Union which is headquartered in Burton, MI just outside of Flint. ELGA was not only the number one credit union choice among voters on the official Vote for Miracles website but they also helped rally support at the ballot box.
“ELGA Credit Union members and employees are extremely generous when it comes to giving their time, talent and treasure to a great cause,” said ELGA Executive Vice President, Terry J. Katzur. “During the Vote for Miracles campaign many committed to voting each day and spreading the word to get friends and family involved as well.”
Rounding out the top five vote-getters are Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo, OH, El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI and Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, PA. Each of these hospitals will receive $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 donations respectively.
“We congratulate all the credit unions and hospitals who participated in Vote for Miracles this year,” said John Lauck, president and CEO, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “It is heartening to see what the credit union community does to ensure the kids treated at our member hospitals get the care they need and deserve.”
In addition to the support of local media outlets, an impressive list of celebrities joined the effort by posting on social media. These included Lady Antebellum, Marie Osmond, Chelsea Clinton, Mark Ruffalo, Miss America 2018 Cara Mund, Bill Engvall, Alli Simpson and Mark Wills.
The 2017 Vote for Miracles promotion ran from Nov. 28-Dec.19.
About Credit Unions for Kids and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Credit Unions for Kids is the brand under which America’s credit unions fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The collaborative effort, which is driven by a “people helping people” philosophy, includes individual credit unions; local chapters; state leagues/associations; two national trade organizations; business partners and several trade publications.
The program was introduced nationally in 1996 and since that time the credit union movement has raised over $150 million for affiliated children’s hospitals. Annually, credit unions are the fifth largest “corporate” contributor to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The credit union community has established a wonderful legacy at hospitals across the country, funding breakthrough research, numerous programs and services and construction of new facilities. Fundraising activities run the gamut from major events to online giving campaigns to paper balloon icon sales.
For more information on Credit Unions for Kids and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, please contact Nick Coleman at 515-339-1723 or ncoleman@cmnhospitals.org.
