BURLINGTON, Mass.–Credit Unions Kids at Heart announced it received a record $174,975 in donations in one day on Nov. 27, 2018, thanks to a wide network of “dedicated donors and a generous #GivingTuesday match.”
Founded in 1996, CU Kids at Heart raises funds for research on pediatric neurological disorders, and in the past 20 years has done so by sponsoring a team that receives charity bibs to run the Boston Marathon on behalf of Boston Children’s Hospital. The 2019 season team consists of 22 runners, some of whom are employees of the team’s supporting credit unions, according to the organization.
Each year, runners are paired with Boston Children’s Hospital patient partners, many of whom are challenged to overcome debilitating diseases, and “this partnership inspires an ambitious training and fundraising regimen.”
“This year, CU Kids at Heart’s #GivingTuesday match, made possible by the financial support of its credit union community, bolstered the team’s fundraising efforts early in their season at a time when many donors are focused on year-end giving,” the organization said. “On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, donations came in steadily all day, allowing the team to raise over $199,000 to date toward its 2019 season goal of $500,000—all before their sneakers even hit the pavement for a group training run.”
Where Donations Go
All donations go to support a multi-year effort to fund research at Boston Children’s Hospital and its research affiliates which is aimed at the prevention, treatment, and/or cure of pediatric brain tumors, pediatric epilepsy, Moyamoya disease, Sturge-Weber syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
Jane Melchionda, president and CEO of Eastern Corporate FCU, began CU Kids at Heart to leverage the collective impact of credit union charitable efforts and as a reflection of the industry’s belief in collaboration in service of a greater good, the organization said.
“Today, CU Kids at Heart is a favorite philanthropic activity of the credit union community in New England and beyond with more than 60 participating credit unions and several business partners. Since its founding, the team has donated more than $6 million toward its mission to help children live happy and healthy lives,” CU Kids at Heart said.