DANA POINT, Calif. –The Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction raised a “record-breaking” $1.85 million for 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada during the 19th annual event here.
More than 500 attendees representing 64 credit unions, business partners, and hospitals, gathered for this year’s black-tie event held at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Resort in Dana Point, Calif.
The evening, which had a coastal glamour theme of “Joie De Vivre” (Joy of Life) included fine cuisine, dancing, and silent and live auctions.
According to organizers, the auctions featured more than 400 donated packages of fine wine and spirits, as well as travel getaways. The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is the largest single fundraising event for Credit Unions for Kids, grossing more than $16 million since 2006.
“We are thrilled with the exceptional generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. They have made our annual Credit Unions for Kids auction a huge success by raising more than $1 million for the tenth straight year,” Ana Fonseca, co-chair of this year’s event and president and CEO of Logix FCU, said in a statement. “This event continues to be a night of hope as we support such an important organization.”
A ‘Shared Purpose’
Added Mark Meyer, the president and CEO of Filene Research Institute and co-chair for this year’s event, “Each year, we unite with a shared purpose – to support CMN Hospitals in their mission to help children and families facing challenges. Their commitment to this vital cause is truly commendable, and Filene is proud to be a part of it.”
A Special Guest
This year’s special guest was 12-year-old miracle child Melody Piña, who was born with a rare congenital condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome, also known as Constriction Ring Syndrome. With this condition, string-like fibrous bands of the amniotic sac tissue were tangled around Melody in utero, and she was born missing some of her fingers and toes.
“Melody was referred to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Nina Lightdale-Miric, who leads the Center for Achievement of Teens and Children with Hand Differences (CATCH) – the only program of its kind providing resources, mentorship, and support for hundreds of families dealing with hand and upper limb differences,” according to Origence, which was the title sponsor of the wine auction. “It was here that Melody received four surgical procedures to separate her fingers and remove excess skin to improve her hands’ functionality.
“Today, Melody radiates confidence as she works through the challenges of functioning with only three fingers. She’s a talented singer and sang ‘Proud Mary’ to celebrate a successful fundraising evening for CMN hospitals.”
Added Jackylin Fuentes, Melody’s mother, “It was through their [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles] donor program that we received the information, guidance, and care that paved the way for our daughter to thrive. At CHLA, we learned that CATCH kids can do so many things. They will just do it differently than other people. The community of care and support this program provides is just as important as surgical care, and that’s what differentiates CHLA from other institutions.”
‘Tremendous Night’
Tony Boutelle, CEO of Origence, called the event a tremendous night to celebrate Melody and all the children “inspiring us through their stories of healing and growth” through Children’s Miracle Network. “We’re elated to have reached such a great fundraising achievement this year. We extend a special thanks to Nick Ambrosini, president and CEO of Valley Strong Credit Union, Steve Williams, president and partner of Cornerstone Advisors, Pete Hilger, president and CEO of Allied Solutions, Chuck Fagan, president and CEO of PSCU/Co-op Solutions, Darren Williams, president and CEO at Wescom Credit Union, and TruStage,” said Boutelle. “Their generous paddle raises, alongside their sponsorships, significantly contributed to achieving a record-breaking milestone for this year’s event.”
Executive Committee Members
Members of the executive committee for the Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction, along with the benefitting hospital(s) in their area, include:
- Ana Fonseca, Logix FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
- Bill Birnie, Frontwave Credit Union (Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Bill Cheney, SchoolsFirst FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Brett Martinez, Redwood CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Carrie Birkhofer, Bay FCU (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System)
- Chuck Fagan, PSCU & Co-op Solutions
- Darren Williams, Wescom CU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, CHOC Children’s)
- Diana Dykstra, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
- Elizabeth Dooley, Educational Employees CU (Valley Children’s Healthcare System)
- Erin Mendez, Patelco CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- Geri LaChance, SESLOC FCU (Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- Joan Opp, Stanford FCU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
- John Cassidy, Sierra Central CU (retired) (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
- Keith Sultemeier, Kinecta FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County; Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
- Kathy Jumper, Orange County’s CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County)
- Mark Meyer, Filene Research Institute
- Matt Kershaw, Clark County CU (St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Renown Children’s Hospital)
- Nader Moghaddam, Financial Partners CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s Hospital)
- Nicholas Ambrosini, Valley Strong CU (Lauren Small Children’s Center at Memorial Hospital)
- Teresa Freeborn, Kinecta FCU (retired) (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
- Terrance Williams, TruStageTony Boutelle, Origence
Title Sponsors
The title sponsor for this year’s event was Origence, presenting sponsor was PSCU and Co-op Solutions, and premier sponsors were Allied Solutions, the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, TruStage, and Visa.
The 2025 California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction will occur on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Calif.
Now With Free Shipping! The CUToday.info Daily News Email Keeps Getting Better!
The biggest, best and freshest news reporting in credit unions remains free, and now has an added bonus---free shipping to your email address! That’s right. Each morning CUToday.info delivers its daily Fresh Today news update offering the latest headlines and breaking news right to your email, with the easy-to-read headlines format allowing you to click on the stories that interest you most in order to learn more. So stop paying those bank-fee-like subscription prices from other so-called “news” publications!
If you haven’t yet signed up for the new email solution on which CUToday.info has partnered with ResponseGenius, you can do so here. Signing up requires less than one minute of your time—and it’s free!
Please note that after signing up you may need to go to your Spam/Junk folder and mark the morning headlines email as safe. CUToday.info does not provide its list of readers and emails to outside parties, and we will not be contacting you to sell you an extended warranty or sending you any links so you may cash in on an inheritance you didn’t know was coming.
And did we mention it’s free?