PHILADELPHIA––Credit unions, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and RealClearPolitics will host a groundbreaking today in honor of the 2016 Democratic nominating convention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pediatric Care Center.
The groups are building an outdoor Health and Wellness Garden to positively impact the hospital’s young patients and enrich the local community.
The garden is in honor of the 2016 Democratic National Convention and will serve as a “resource for vitally important patient and community engagement programs, including nutritional experiences, physical activity and a site to host events for patient programs, such as Reach Out and Read, according to the Pennsylvania CU Association.
Among those on hand will be Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney; Patrick Conway, president of the PCUA; and CUNA CEO Jim Nussle, among others.
The PCUA noted Credit unions have a time-honored tradition of “leave-behind” projects in cities hosting national party conventions, ensuring that the space created today continues to serve local communities long after the conventions leave town.
The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association is spearheading the $300,000 fundraising effort to cover the costs of the project.
Construction will unfold over the spring and summer, and will include volunteer opportunities for credit union employees, convention staff and those in the community to lend a helping hand. Plans call for a ribbon-cutting event to take place during the week of the convention, which will be held July 25-28. A companion project is being undertaken by credit unions at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, site of the 2016 Republican National Convention.