ONTARIO, Calif.–The 16th annual California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction raised $1.17 million for the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada.
One of the largest single fundraising events for Credit Unions for Kids, this is the seventh consecutive year that the wine auction has raised over $1 million for these hospitals, bringing the total raised since 2006 to more than $11 million, according to organizers.
For the first time, this year the event was virtual and interactive and live-streamed from Seattle via YouTube. It was supported by 57 credit unions, business partners and hospitals.
“Through the incredible efforts and generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we continue to set new milestones of support each year for the benefitting hospitals,” Todd Clark, event co-chair and president and CEO of CO-OP Financial Services, said in a statement. “Actively supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is important to credit unions, and we are honored to be helping this great organization and the children they serve in our communities.”
The 2021 theme “Gala Caisleán [Castle in Gaelic],” a virtual Gaelic experience, set the backdrop for an evening that included live entertainment and both silent and live auctions, organizers said. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 650 packages that included bottles of fine wine and whiskey, travel getaways, sports events and concerts.
The event has been viewed more than 1,700 times and it generated 600 comments during the live broadcast.
‘Remarkable Support’
“The ongoing support for Credit Unions for Kids and CMN Hospitals over the last two decades has been remarkable,” John Cassidy, event co-chair, and president and CEO of Sierra Central Credit Union, said in a statement. “The credit union community came out in force for the virtual auction, helping us to once again top $1 million for California and Nevada CMN Hospitals.”
Organizers noted the money raised each year has a real impact on many children and families in California and Nevada, providing funding for advanced research, innovative technology, and life-saving care. It also provides these families with assistance from the burden of substantial medical costs.
The Special Guest
The event’s very special guest was CMNH 11-year-old Miracle Child Hudson Kent. In March of 2011, Hudson was diagnosed with kidney cancer at the age of 15 months. With care from Children's Hospital Orange County in California, he successfully underwent four surgeries and six months of chemotherapy before the age of three. Organizers said they were happy to report Hudson is now eight years cancer free.
The evening included silent and live auctions, and special cameo appearances by CMNH co-founder Marie Osmond and pro-football hall of famer and three-time Super Bowl champion Steve Young. Seattle-based Celtic folk band, The Stout Pounders, performed throughout the gala and closed out the evening’s live broadcast with a virtual concert.
A Personal Story
During the live broadcast, Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of CU Direct, introduced his daughter, Paris, a previous CMNH patient, and shared a personal story around her journey with depression. Paris recorded a special poem for the event to share her experiences with attendees.
“Over the past five years, mental health issues have surfaced more than ever before, with one in five children having some kind of diagnosable mental health issue before they turn 18,” noted Boutelle. “This past year, COVID made it even worse for our children -- they were isolated from their friends, they weren’t able to participate in their normal activities, and many were affected by financial hardships. In 2018, CHOC Children’s opened the first Mental Health Inpatient Center in Orange County, California, and also developed an Intensive Outpatient Therapy Program for teens.”
The Lead Sponsors & Executive Committee
The lead sponsors of this year’s event were CU Direct, CO-OP Financial Services, the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CUNA Mutual Group and PSCU. 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 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada, organizers noted.
The Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is directed by an Executive Committee, with the committee’s CEOs representing the benefitting hospital/s in their area. Members included:
- Co-Chairman: John Cassidy – Sierra Central CU (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
- Co-Chairman: Todd Clark – CO-OP Financial Services
- 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)
- 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)
- 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’)
- Nicholas Ambrosini, Valley Strong CU (Lauren Small Children’s Center)
- Joan Opp, Stanford FCU (UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland)
Live Event to Return
Organizers said the 2022 California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction will be a live event and will take place on March 18, 2022, at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Calif.