SEATAC, Wash.––Despite the pandemic pushing a popular annual fundraiser into a virtual environment, credit unions in the Pacific Northwest raised more than $700,000 for Credit Unions for Kids and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
The Northwest Credit Union Association’s virtual “Cheers & Chocolates” auction kicked off with a lively virtual wine and chocolate tasting, hosted by a popular Washington winemaker and an Idaho chocolatier.
According to the NWCUA, attendees were inspired by the event’s Miracle Child, 15-year-old Elle Fisher from Silverton, Ore. Elle was born with hemifacial microsomia, a condition that affects the development of the lower half of her face. She has had 13 surgeries to expand her jaw, but none of that stops the energetic powerhouse from wake surfing, skiing moguls, or riding her horse in barrel races. Fisher’s story can be seen here.
The NWCUA noted that in a “friendly competition, credit unions battled it out as they outbid each other on electric cars to be presented to each of the CMN hospitals, raising $323,000 for those alone. Other popular items included a coastal weekend getaway, a VIP winery tour, 15 pounds of Alaskan King Crab, and a package to help Elle Fisher sell lemonade and mistletoe to raise money for the hospital where she has been treated. By the time the night was over, and some additional online bidding concluded, credit unions had contributed $700,000.”
A ‘First of a Kind’
“Though this was a first-of-its-kind virtual auction, Northwest credit unions showed up, as they always do, to demonstrate their steadfast dedication to this cause,” said NWCUA Director of Programming Holly Miller. “It’s so inspiring to see credit unions rally around these eight hospitals year after year.”
The NWCUA said this year’s volunteers include:
- Chantelle Castle, Cutting Edge Federal Credit Union
- Jennifer Clark, PrimeSource Credit Union
- Heidi Wesley-Cleveland, Verity Credit Union
- Crystal Contreras, HAPO Credit Union
- Laura Fenter, Numerica Credit Union
- Kaycie Holland, Alaska USA FCU
- Alexandria Johnson, Sound Credit Union
- Trudi Mayes, CapEd Credit Union
- Annette Pixley, InRoads Credit Union
- Jennifer Wilson, PrimeSource Credit Union