DANA POINT, Calif.–Moving for the first-time ever to a completely online environment, the California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids 15th Annual Win Auction was still able to raise $1.1 million.
The funds will go to 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada. This is the sixth consecutive year that the event has raised over $1 million for these hospitals, bringing the total raised since 2006 to more than $9.8 million, according to organizers.
The sold-out event had originally been scheduled for March 13th at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, Calif., but was made an online-only auction event as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. More than 170 people participated in the auction, which was supported by 64 credit unions, business partners and hospitals.
‘Amazing Accomplishment’
“Eclipsing $1 million in donations for a record sixth straight year in support of the eleven Children’s Hospitals in California and Nevada is an amazing accomplishment,” said John Cassidy, event chairman and CEO of Sierra Central Credit Union. “Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a very important cause for credit unions, and through the hard work and generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers we are very pleased to be helping this great organization and the children of our community.”
Cassidy recorded his rendition of the Louis Armstrong classic song, “What a Wonderful World,” for the online only event, which raised more than $30,000 in pledges alone from online bidders.
During the online auction, Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of CU Direct, introduced his daughter, Paris, a previous CMN patient.
“Paris is no stranger to creativity -- she's been a dancer since age 2, and she loves musical theater, playing ukulele, and writing poetry,” noted Boutelle. “Today, she continues her journey in CHOC's after-school intensive outpatient program, using her many creative skills to share her mental health story with others, knowing that she is never alone.”
Paris recorded a special poem for the online event, to share her experiences with attendees.
More than 600 Packages
Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 600 packages that included bottles of fine wine and whiskey, travel getaways, and concerts.
The Wine Auction’s vehicle raffle raised more than $105,000 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 was Melynda Montano, HELOC financing specialist at Clark County Credit Union in Nevada, who opted for the cash prize of $25,000. She is planning on using her winnings for home improvements and to take her four-year-old granddaughter to Disneyland.
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 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada,” organizers said.
The Executive Committee
The executive committee of the Credit Unions for Kids Win Auction were, along with the hospital they represented:
- Chairperson: John Cassidy – Sierra Central CU (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
- Carrie Birkhofer – Bay FCU (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System)
- Tony Boutelle – CU Direct
- Bill Cheney – SchoolsFirst FCU (CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Todd Clark – CO-OP Financial Services
- Elizabeth Dooley – Educational Employees CU (Valley Children’s Healthcare)
- Diana Dykstra – California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues
- Eric Estes – Boulder Dam CU (Renown Children’s Hospital; St. Rose Dominican Hospitals)
- Teresa Freeborn – Xceed Financial CU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Geri LaChance – SESLOC FCU (Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- Brett Martinez – Redwood CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Erin Mendez – Patelco CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Shruti Miyashiro – Orange County's CU (CHOC Children’s)
- Nader Moghaddam – Financial Partners CU (CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Steve O’Connell – California CU (Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; CHOC Children’s; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)
- Steve Renock – Valley Strong CU (Lauren Small Children’s Center)
- Debra Schwartz – Mission FCU (Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego)
- Keith Sultemeier – Kinecta FCU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; CHOC Children’s)
- Robert Trunzo – CUNA Mutual Group
- Darren Williams – Wescom CU (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; CHOC Childrens’)
Event Returns in 2021
The 2021 California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is scheduled to take place on March 12, 2021, at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Calif.