DANA POINT, Calif.–The Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction has broken a fundraising record with $1.7 million raised for the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada.
The funds were raised during the 18th annual event over the weekend.
This year’s black-tie event, themed “Sapphire Sky, a Celestial Soiree,” brought together more than 500 attendees at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Resort in Dana Point, Calif. to support the Children’s Miracle Network, according to organizers.
“Attendees gathered for a spectacular evening of exquisite cuisine, dancing, and silent and live auctions featuring over 500 donated packages of fine wine, spirits, and travel getaways,” organizers added.
The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is the largest single fundraising event for Credit Unions for Kids, grossing more than $14 million since 2006.
‘Exceptional Generosity’
“We are thrilled to share that once again the exceptional generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers has made our annual Credit Unions for Kids auction a huge success by raising more than $1 million in donations for the ninth straight year,” said Diana Dykstra, event co-chairperson, and president of California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “It continues to be a night of encouragement as we come together and support such an important organization.”
Added Brett Martinez, event co-chairperson and president and CEO of Redwood Credit Union. “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals do outstanding work caring for these special children and their families. We are honored to support their efforts and show them the credit union way of people helping people.”
‘Amazed by the Generosity’
Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of Origence, shared, “Over the years, I have been so amazed by the generosity that credit unions and our friends and partners in the community have shown as we come together to help the children treated at CMN Hospitals and their families through their challenges. I can’t think of a more worthy cause.”
The Special Guest
This year’s special guest was four-year-old Miracle Child Jack Cheney, grandchild of Bill Cheney, the president and CEO of Schools First FCU. Jack was born with type A esophageal atresia, a condition where the esophagus forms in two distinct segments, leaving him unable to swallow until the esophagus could be connected through the specialized procedure known as the Foker process, organizers said.
“Early ultrasounds detected the malformation and launched doctors into extensive monitoring and premature delivery at 37 weeks when Jack was found unresponsive. Doctors made the quick diagnosis after delivery and would continue to care for him and assist with complications for more than four months,” organizers of the event stated. “Jack would require extensive surgery leading him to specialized care. After a successful procedure, Jack was closely monitored in ICU throughout the multi-stage process as the gap in his esophagus was narrowed and finally connected. Approximately 112 days after delivery, Jack swallowed his first drink of milk by mouth, and 25 days later, he would finally be home. Jack is now an active preschooler eating snacks along with everyone else.”
‘Remarkable Success Story’
“We like to say that on the day Jack was born, a doctor said he would never be normal, and he was right,” said William Cheney, Jack’s father. “Jack is extraordinary. He is a remarkable success story of medical science, attentive care, and a large number of people going out of their way to make sure he had the absolute best. We are so grateful for the care and support of the children’s hospitals and Children’s Miracle Network. We are so happy to have this chance to support CMN in the great work they do for the children and their families.”
The Executive Committee
The executive committee of CEOs that directs the Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction included, along with the benefitting hospital(s) in their area:
- Brett Martinez, Redwood CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Diana Dykstra, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
- Carrie Birkhofer, Bay FCU (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System)
- Erick Estes, Boulder Dam CU (St. Rose Dominican Hospital/Renown Children’s Hospital)
- Steve O’Connel, California CU (Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Todd Clark, Co-op Solutions
- Tony Boutelle, Origence
- Robert Trunzo, CUNA Mutual Group
- Elizabeth Dooley, Educational Employees CU (Valley Children’s Healthcare System)
- Nader Moghaddam, Financial Partners CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Teresa Freeborn, Kinecta FCU (retired) (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
- Keith Sultemeier, Kinecta FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital of Orange County; Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- Ana Fonseca, Logix FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
- Debra Schwartz, Mission FCU (Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Lucy Ito, Orange County’s CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County)
- Erin Mendez, Patelco CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Chuck Fagan, PSCU
- Bill Cheney, SchoolsFirst FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Geri LaChance, SESLOC FCU (Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- John Cassidy, Sierra Central CU (retired) (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
- Joan Opp, Stanford FCU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Nicholas Ambrosini, Valley Strong CU (Lauren Small Children’s Center at Memorial Hospital)
- Darren Williams, Wescom CU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, CHOC Children’s)
The Sponsors
The title sponsor for this year’s event was Origence, the presenting sponsor was Co-op Solutions, and the premier sponsors were the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CUNA Mutual Group, PSCU, Allied Solutions, and Visa.
“As a result of the efforts and contributions of each of these organizations, as well as the event’s other sponsors, 100% of donations received directly benefit the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada,” organizers said.
Set a Date for 2024
The 2024 California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction will take place on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Calif.
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