SPOKANE, Wash.–The Credit Unions for Kids Masquerade Auction held during the Northwest CU Association’s MAXX Convention here raised nearly $872,000 for the eight CMN hospitals that treat patients in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. At the same meeting, the NWCUA also presented its Summit Awards.
The association said “hearts melted” when a Disneyland vacation donated by Portland-based IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union was in turn donated by bidders to five-year-old Elliott Naftzger, who served as the auction’s Miracle Child. Elliott was born with a life-threatening heart condition and underwent her first open heart surgery when she was just four days old.
“Her treatments have been successful and today, she’s thriving,” the NWCUA said.
Another surprise came Elliott’s way when Joel Schwartz, founder and CEO of DoubleCheck, an NWCUA Strategic Link business partner, added a tour of Warner Brothers Studios for the family, the association reported.
Aggressive Bids
The Northwest CU Association said attendees also bid aggressively on wine country getaways, coastal vacations, and other travel packages.
Each CMN hospital in the Northwest will receive a toy-filled electric car which will either be donated to a patient or be kept in the hospital to transport little ones from their rooms to their medical appointments. After bidding on the electric cars hit an NWCUA auction record, auctioneer Sean Kelly called “anyone who can contribute $1,000 more” to the stage. Twenty-five attendees came running.
“We are humbled by the generosity of credit unions,” said Troy Stang, NWCUA president and CEO. “Credit Unions for Kids is a charity that is making so many miracles possible for children like Elliott, for researchers finding cures, for medical teams that never give up, and for their families who need comfort and resources when their children are hospitalized. We’re proud to be part of this.”
Committee Support
The NWCUA said a committee of credit union employees volunteered their time to make the auction a success, starting last spring to secure donations, and working onsite to arrange dozens of silent auction gift baskets. Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union donated the design work for the Masquerade theme. CUNA Mutual Group was the auction’s premier Venetian Masquerade sponsor.
Summit Awards Presented
Separately, the NWCUA presented its highest honors, the Summit Awards, to credit union teams and individuals who’ve demonstrated outstanding service to the Credit Union Movement and its millions of consumer members.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Debie Keesee, CEO of Spokane Media Federal Credit Union. While serving as the credit union’s CEO for 22 years, Keesee also has successfully advocated for state and federal legislation.
"She was an early champion of legislation, allowing municipal governments in Washington state to deposit public funds in credit unions, resulting in choice and better returns on taxpayer deposits," the NWCUA said. "She was also a leading Northwest advocate for the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act last year."
Keesee serves on the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Board of Directors, where part of her mission is to give voice to 361 small credit unions across the western U.S.
“Debie has personally helped to make the Credit Union Movement what it is today,” said NWCUA President and CEO Troy Stang. “All credit unions deeply appreciate her collaboration and unwavering dedication to the Credit Union Movement.”
“I am blown away,” said Keesee. “How blessed I am that I found my passion a long time ago. I found my passion in credit unions. How blessed I am to have a family that supported me.”
Other Winners
Other credit union leaders honored with Summit Awards include:
- Mary Vasquez, Community Advocate at Portland, Oregon-based Point West Credit Union. Vasquez received the Young Credit Union Leader Award for deepening relationships in the city’s Latinix community, and for committing 400 hours of service to more than 30 community organizations last year.
- John Moore, Chief Experience Officer at Clatskanie, Oregon-based Wauna Credit Union. Moore received the Impact Award for creating programs to train the credit union’s future leaders. He also created a program to help the staff better understand each member’s specific financial circumstances, resulting in relevant, customized service to members.
- Tim George, Director at Medford, Oregon-based Rogue Credit Union. George was honored as the Northwest’s Distinguished Director for 27 years of staff and member-focused service to the board.
NWCUA also honored 10 credit unions for outstanding community service and impact.
Nine credit unions serving the Portland, Ore. metropolitan area received the Cooperation in Action Award for jointly holding a job fair to raise awareness about the benefits of working in not-for-profit, cooperative credit unions. The honored credit unions included Unitus Community, Advantis, Clackamas Federal, First Tech Federal, iQ, Point West, Rivermark Community, SELCO Community, and Trailhead.
Meridian, Idaho-based CapEd Credit Union received the Members on Main Street Award for its Get $100 and Give $100program, resulting in more than $80,000 in contributions benefitting 243 local schools. CapEd deposited $100 in each new member’s High Yield Checking Account, which members were then able to direct to the school of their choice. The funds supported school projects such as reading programs, study toolkits, classroom organization tools, and computer technology.
“Every credit union and every individual honored has made a positive difference in the lives of credit union members and their communities,” Stang said. “The People Helping People philosophy isn’t just an idea; it’s a way of life and Northwest credit unions and their teams are living it.”
Below, Mary Vasquez accepts the Young Credit Union Leader Award. Pictured with Vazquez (center) are Troy Stang, NWCUA President and CEO, Amy Nelson, President and CEO, Point West Credit Union, Tiffany Pillars, last year’s YCUL Award winner, who helped to present the honor. Tiffany is AVP of Finance at Milwaukie, Oregon-based Providence Federal Credit Union. On the far right is Jennifer Wagner, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer, NWCUA.