America’s Credit Unions and credit union advocates presented Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals with a check for $550,000 Sunday morning at the 51st Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run.
Sarah Chelangat was the first-place women’s finisher with a time of 51:14, breaking the women’s course record. Chelangat also won last year with a time of 52:04. Wesley Kiptoo was the first-place men’s finisher with a time of 45:54.
Alongside America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Jim Nussle and Chartway Credit Union President/CEO and America’s Credit Unions Board Chair Brian Schools, was Credit Union Miracle Day and the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Chair John Bratsakis, president/CEO of MD|DC Credit Union Association.
“For more than twenty years, the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run has been a Washington tradition, uniting credit unions with the common goal of supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The event exemplifies credit unions’ commitment to positively impacting the financial well-being of families and communities,” said Bratsakis.
Credit unions have donated more than $11.5 million to CMN Hospitals since 2002. Credit unions are the fifth largest annual donor to CMN Hospitals and the third largest lifetime donor, having raised more than $200 million.
Runner donations this year totaled over $169,000. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland were among the runners, as were more than 850 Congressional staffers. More than 250 members of Congress were official race co-chairs.
Credit union leaders gathered the Thursday before the race in a press conference.
“What I love about credit unions is supporting causes and institutions like Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. I think these types of things truly make credit unions different,” said America’s Credit Unions Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt. “Americas Credit Unions is an incredibly proud sponsor of this event. I can’t think of a better way for credit unions to shout from the rooftops what they do every day to help the average American.”
When Hunt’s son was three years old, he had to undergo surgery at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. A young, talented surgeon shared the step-by-step medical procedure with Hunt.
“In that moment, I realized how much of a higher class of care kids got there,” said Hunt. “I wasn’t even thinking about the credit union Cherry Blossom race at that point in my life. But when I reconnected with Children’s Miracle Networks later, that experience stayed with me.”
Similarly, Tim Anderson, president/CEO of U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union, and Alane Dent, vice president of corporate and legislative affairs at TruStage, also shared their personal experiences with CMN Hospitals.
Bratsakis concluded by sharing Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids), benefiting CMN Hospitals, will be awarded the Founders Award during Children’s Hospitals Week (April 8-11) in Florida. The Founders Award recognizes organizations that have had a lifetime impact on CMN Hospitals. This will be the seventh time the award has been presented in 40 years.
