DANA POINT, Calif.–The 14th annual California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction gala event raised a record $1.4 million for the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the two states.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the event has raised over $1 million for these hospitals, organizers said.
The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is the largest single fundraising event for Credit Unions for Kids, having raised more than $8.5 million since 2006 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The sold-out event, which took place at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, Calif., had 500 attendees, and was supported by 67 credit unions, business partners and hospitals, according to organizers.
“Through the incredible efforts and generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we’ve eclipsed $1 million in donations for a fifth straight year in support of the 11 Children’s Hospitals in California and Nevada,” said Nader Moghaddam, event chairman and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union. “Actively supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is important to credit unions, and we are very pleased to be helping this great organization and the children they serve in our communities.”
This year’s event theme was “Casablanca” and included fine food, dancing, and both silent and live auctions. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 550 packages that included bottles of fine wine, travel getaways, and concerts.
The Special Guest
The event’s very special guest was 11-year-old Jordin Jackson, a CMN Hospital patient at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in California. Jordin’s mother, Karen Wilson, is an employee of Financial Partners Credit Union.
“Sharing how CHOC has changed her life, Jordin’s charm and her amazing story of strength and courage inspired attendees,” said organizers. “Since birth, Jordin has battled sickle cell disease, an inherited condition that afflicts approximately 100,000 people in the U.S., and can cause tremendous pain, chronic anemia, serious infections, and damage to organs.”
In 2016-2017, Jordin was the CMN Champion for California, traveling to Washington and Florida, representing all of California children’s hospitals. In 2017 she served as the ambassador for the CHOC Walk presented by the Disneyland Resort. Through her continued efforts and dedication, Jordin has raised over $150,00 for CMN hospitals.
The Wine Auction
The Wine Auction’s vehicle raffle raised over $70,000 for CMN Hospitals, with the winner having the choice of a new car or new Harley Davidson motorcycle, each valued at $25,000, or $25,000 in cash. The raffle was sponsored by CU Direct. The raffle’s winner, Korinn Dolkas from Mission Federal Credit Union, opted for the cash prize, and will be using the winnings for home improvements.
Pledges totaling $55,750 were made in support of a special performance by Blues Brothers, starring Darren Williams, president and CEO of Wescom Credit Union, and Bill Cheney, president and CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, and produced by Nader Moghaddam and Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of CU Direct.
The lead Corporate Sponsors of this year’s event were CU Direct, the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CO-OP Financial Services, and CUNA Mutual Group.
“As a result of the efforts and contributions of each of these organizations, as well as the event’s other sponsors, 100% of the money raised will directly benefit the eleven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada,” organizers said.
The Executive Committee
The Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction Executive Committee included:
- Chairperson: Nader Moghaddam of Financial Partners CU (CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Erin Mendez of Patelco CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Hank Barrett of Valley First CU (Valley Children’s Hospital)
- Carrie Birkhofer of Bay FCU (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System)
- John Cassidy of Sierra Central CU (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
- Bill Cheney of SchoolsFirst FCU (CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Eric Estes of Boulder Dam CU (Renown Children’s Hospital; St. Rose Dominican Hospitals)
- Teresa Freeborn of Xceed Financial CU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Geri LaChance of SESLOC FCU (Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- Brett Martinez of Redwood CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Keith Sultemeier of Kinecta FCU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; CHOC Children’s)
- Shruti Miyashiro of Orange County's CU (CHOC Children’s)
- Steve O’Connell of California CU (Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Steve Renock of Kern Schools FCU (Lauren Small Children’s Center)
- Debra Schwartz of Mission FCU (Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego)
- Darren Williams of Wescom CU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; CHOC Childrens’)
The 2020 California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction will take place on March 13, 2020 at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Calif.