Tampa – St. Petersburg Area Credit Unions Raised $3.9 Million for All Children’s Hospital since 1996 ‐ Credit Unions have raised $100 Million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals ‐ Tampa-St. Petersburg area credit unions raised $390,000 in 2011 Tallahassee, FL, May 31, 2012 — For nearly 20 years, Tampa – St. Petersburg area credit unions have been demonstrating the “people helping people” philosophy and commitment to their community. Since 1996, credit unions in the greater Tampa area have raised $3,878,890 for All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. One gift, $1.5-million from 14 local credit unions, will help All Children’s Hospital establish a comprehensive center for children with autism and related disorders. In total, Credit Unions for Kids, a collaborative effort to raise money for children’s hospitals, has raised more than $100 million for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals since 1996. Tampa –St. Petersburg area credit unions ranked third last year in credit union fundraising for CMN, raising more than $390,000 for All Children’s Hospital. As you would imagine, there are many stories inside a hospital. The donations collected in the Tampa area helped provide Barbie and Max’s son Glenn a chance to live after he had to have open heart surgery when he was five days old. “The story of little Glenn is an example of why credit unions have chosen Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as their charity of choice,” said Patrick La Pine, president/CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions. “Credit unions live their philosophy of ‘people helping people.’ The money raised is not based on credit union profits. It is countless hours of volunteering by credit union staff and volunteers. The local community is very important to credit unions.” “Our goal has always been simple and straightforward - helping improve the communities where we live and work,” said Tom Dorety, president/CEO of Suncoast Schools FCU. “Our funding of $1.5 million for pediatric intensive care and $1.5 million for autism has immediate impact on children and their families who have burdens that most of us fear from the very mention of the words. All Children's Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine, is on the cutting edge of healthcare delivery and research so it has been a meaningful collaboration for our Tampa Bay Area Credit Unions for Kids and one that will reach far into the future as well. Reaching the $100 million mark naturally is a phenomenal milestone to meet but more importantly in what it means throughout the nation. We can literally change the landscape of our communities while improving the quality of life for those in need.” In 2011, the Credit Union for Kids program raised $8.7 million for children’s hospitals across the country. Tampa – St. Petersburg area credit unions ranked third in the nation in individual market giving for 2011: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix Children’s Hospital) Portland, Ore. (Doernbecher Children’s Hospital) Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (All Children’s Hospital) Washington, D.C. (Children’s National Medical Center) Atlanta, Ga. (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
$446,895 $411,933 $390,709 $381,833 $371,577
6. Los Angeles, Calif. (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles) 7. San Antonio, Texas (CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital) 8. Salt Lake City, Utah (Primary Children’s Medical Center) 9. Orange County, Calif. (CHOC Children’s) 10. Austin, Texas (Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas)
$338,972 $310,197 $268,988 $266,201 $220,074
“2011 was a landmark year for our credit union partners,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Their performance speaks volumes about the character of those in the movement. Given the unprecedented challenges facing the industry, credit unions could have cut back on their fundraising, but instead they pushed forward to raise $100 million. We congratulate Credit Unions for Kids on this achievement and thank them for enabling our hospitals to impact the lives of more kids and their families.” The Southeastern Credit Union Foundation is currently building a $300,000 therapeutic playground at All Children’s Hospital in honor of the Republican National Convention. All of the money used for the project will come from credit unions in Alabama, Florida and across the country. The playground will help children at the hospital to have a place to rehabilitate outside, while also providing family members a place to play. In 2012, participating credit unions have three national campaigns supporting local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The Change A Child’s Life coin collection campaign concluded April 30. Miracle Jeans Day fundraising will occur Aug. 1 – Sept. 12, and the Holiday icon campaign will run Nov. 1 – Dec. 31. About Credit Unions for Kids Credit Unions for Kids is the brand under which America’s credit unions fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The collaborative effort, driven by a “people helping people” philosophy, includes credit unions, chapters, leagues and business partners, and has raised more than $100 million for children’s hospitals since 1996. In 2011, credit unions were third among Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners in annual giving, trailing only Walmart and Costco. Learn more at CU4Kids.org. About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of our mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at CMNHospitals.org.
### Contacts: Mike Bridges Vice President, Marketing and Communications League of Southeastern Credit Unions mike.bridges@lscu.coop 850.558.1022 www.twitter.com/LeagueofSECUs Joe Dearborn Senior Director, Credit Unions for Kids Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals jdearborn@cmnhospitals.org 480-614-9673
Heidi Shepherd Manager, Public Relations Children's Miracle Network Hospitals hshepherd@cmnhospitals.org 801-214-7400