Credit unions across the country will be commemorating International Credit Union Day on October 15 through the “Shop for Miracles” program to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Of course, credit unions don’t need to wait for that special day to roll around to engage in Credit Unions for Kids fundraisers. They can be held anytime and, to cite a few examples, they can take most any form.
Three credit unions participating in the 2014 Miracle Match by CO-OP program conducted unique fundraisers that strengthened ties with their members, raised their profile in the community, engaged employees and, best of all, raised money CMN Hospitals.
Kinetic Credit Union
Kinetic Credit Union of Columbus, Georgia, looks to the stars for its annual fundraising event – the stars of the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League and other local celebrities.
According to Wanda Rutledge, Kinetic’s Community Relations Vice President, Kinetic CU co-hosts a yearly “Evening with the Stars” with the Cottonmouths team and Columbus Regional Health, the CMN hospital serving the greater Columbus area.
The red carpet dinner event, held at Columbus’ Green Island Country Club earlier this year, raised $37,492 for Columbus Regional Health from ticket sales and a silent auction – with help from Cottonmouth players dressed in tuxedos, working as waiters for the evening. Twenty-eight tables were sold and guests vied for the service of their favorite players by competing against one another via an auction. Last year’s black-tie event raised $32,000.
Avadian Credit Union
Avadian Credit Union based in Birmingham, Alabama, joins with other credit unions affiliated with the Southeastern Credit Unions’ Birmingham Chapter to sponsor a “Cornhole” tournament (AKA, a bean bag toss) for its annual CMN Hospitals fundraiser, benefiting Children’s of Alabama.
The League’s Young Professionals Board, headed by Amanda Meacham, Financial Service Officer with Avadian, organized the 2014 tournament.
Cornhole, or Corn Toss, tournaments are similar to horseshoes except players use wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and toss corn bags instead of horseshoes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the slightly angled platform – a corn bag in the hole scores three points, while one landing on the platform scores one point, and they keep it until someone reaches 21. Last year’s tournament attracted 75 competitors including a player who traveled more than an hour for a chance to win one of the tournament’s cash prizes.
Fibre Federal Credit Union
Across the country from Avadian is Fibre Federal Credit Union of Longview, Washington, where Vice President of Marketing Angie Leppert reports that Fibre’s “Credit Union Ride and Rock” event raised $73,000 last year to benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital of Portland, Oregon. Leppert says that 500 people joined in on the day of fun in 2014.
The 2015 event, held in August and co-hosted with iQ Credit Union of Vancouver, Washington, was a scenic 200-mile motorcycle “poker run” followed by a rock concert. Funds are raised through the ticket sales, sponsorships and donations. Motorcyclists ride from Fibre’s branch in Woodland, Washington, to the Johnston Ridge Observatory overlooking Mount St. Helens, and along the way they pick up marked poker cards at “pit stops” (participating credit union branches).
The bikers then returned to the bucolic Bethany Vineyards in Ridgefield, Washington, where the first, second and third place winners of the poker ride – the riders with the appropriately marked playing cards — won Visa Gift Cards from $1,000 to $100. Dinner and the rock concert followed, headlined by American Idol finalist, Crystal Bowersox.
Credit unions interested in maximizing the funds they raise for CMN Hospitals can learn more about the Miracle Match by CO-OP program by visiting the CO-OP Financial Services website at http://co-opfs.org/miracle-match.
The original article CMN Hospitals Fundraisers Are for All Seasons can be found on Insight Vault.
