Press
Credit Unions For Kids Wine Auction Raises $500,000 For Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Credit Unions, CUSOs and CU Organizations Partner to Raise Record Amount for California and Nevada Children’s Hospitals.
DANA POINT, CA (March 27, 2013) – Organizers of the eight annual California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction have announced that a record $500,000 was raised for the eleven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada.
The sold out event, which took place Friday, March 22nd, at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California, drew over 360 attendees from more than 78 credit unions, business partners and hospitals. The annual wine auction continues to be one of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ premier events, as more than $1.9 million has now been raised by the Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction since 2006.
“We want to thank our sponsors, donors, and volunteers,” said Darren Williams, event chairman and CEO of Wescom Credit Union. “They made this a truly special event through their generosity. Having surpassed all expectations by raising a record amount of money for the Children’s Miracle Network truly speaks to the generosity of the credit union movement and reinforces credit unions’ strong relationship with, and commitment to, their local communities.”
Auction attendees had the opportunity to bid on a variety of items, including more than 375 bottles of wine, as well as vacation packages (to Hawaii; Vancouver, British Columbia; and other destinations), memorabilia, sporting events, and a collection of premium whiskeys. The evening included fine food, dancing, and both silent and live auctions. The event’s wine auctioneer was well-known charity auctioneer and comedian Sean Kelly. Kelly has helped raise millions of dollars for numerous charitable organizations, including Make a Wish, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego.
The evening’s very special guest, Natalie Reggio, a 20-year-old college student and CMN patient since 2006, shared how Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has changed her life. Reggio, who has suffered from a seizure disorder since high school, is just one of the many stories of hope as a result of the tireless efforts of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the country.
Inspired by the care she has received at CHOC, Natalie volunteers for the hospital through both the Young Speakers Bureau and Children’s Miracle Network Champion Program.
The growing level of participation and overall success of the event is attributed to the dedicated efforts of the Wine Auction Committee. The Committee, chaired by Darren Williams, is comprised of credit union representatives that work closely with their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital representatives to help raise awareness of the yearly event.
Corporate Sponsors of this year’s event were the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CU Direct Corporation, CO-OP Financial Services, and CUNA Mutual Group. As Corporate Sponsors, these organizations paid all overhead costs associated with the auction.
“Our credit union partners once again demonstrated their remarkable generosity and unwavering commitment to our California and Nevada children’s hospitals with their support of this year’s Wine Auction,” said Joe Dearborn, senior director, Credit Unions for Kids. “It’s a true testament to the credit union philosophy of people helping people.”
As a result of the efforts and contributions of each of these organizations, all of the money raised will directly benefit the eleven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada: Children’s Hospital Orange County; Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland; St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Las Vegas; UC Davis Children’s Hospital; Children’s Hospital Central California; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego; Cottage Children’s Hospital in Santa Barbara; Renown Children’s Hospital in Reno; Lauren Small Children’s Medical Center, Bakersfield; and Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System.
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 more than $100 million for affiliated children’s hospitals. Annually, credit unions are the third largest “corporate” contributor to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals behind only Wal-Mart and Costco.
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.