PSCU Financial Services Partners with Credit Unions Nationwide and Credit Union Miracle Day to Sponsor
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
A Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network
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Only 209 days until April 5, 2009 - the date of the run! |
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Each spring, credit unions across the country join together in Washington, D.C. for the annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. Fund raising efforts for this annual road race support the 170  Children’s Hospitals that belong to the Children's Miracle Network. These hospitals treat millions of children across the U.S. and Canada and provide $2.5 billion in care to help children with cancer, cystic fibrosis, pediatric AIDS, and numerous other illnesses.
Last year, the credit union community raised over $1 million from the race. For 2009, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run is hoping to again raise more than $1 million to help the hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network give hope to children facing critical health issues.
We are inviting our member-owners to join with us in this ambitious initiative.
The approach we’re advocating is for credit unions to become a sponsor and/or donate 1% of their credit or debit card interchange revenue from transactions processed on the First Data Resources Omaha platform for the months they designate from October 2008 through April 2009. Donations will be forwarded to Children's Miracle Network. Click here to complete an interchange enrollment form for this worthy cause.
PSCU Financial Services’ History with the Children’s Miracle Network
Our relationship with the Children’s Miracle Network dates back to 1997. The Children’s Miracle Network is the sole beneficiary of our Golf Benefit held during the annual Member Forum. PSCU Financial Services stepped up as the Lead Partner for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in 2008 and returns in that role for the 2009 event. By underwriting all of the expenses for the race, we enable 100% of contributors’ donations to reach hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network.
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PSCU Financial Services’ Role and Objective with the 2009 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run
- The 2008 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run raised money for children’s hospitals in 30 states. We believe the credit union industry can unite and do so much more – our higher goal is to secure sponsorships from credit unions and partner organizations in all states with children’s hospitals.
- For 2009, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, in partnership with PSCU Financial Services and the nation’s credit unions and their members, is aiming to raise more than $1 million to help the hospitals in the Children’s Miracle Network give hope to children facing critical health issues. We believe that broadening the exposure of the event can help credit unions gain recognition in their local communities and succeed in their marketplace, as well as heighten the visibility and awareness of credit unions among lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
- All credit union donations, whether raised from the run or other
 credit union activities, are totaled under the Credit Unions for Kids umbrella recognition program. Credit Unions for Kids is among the top four contributors to the Children’s Miracle Network nationwide.
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How Credit Unions Can Help Raise Contributions
- We are inviting our member credit unions to participate in this ambitious, nationwide credit union initiative. The approach we’re suggesting is for credit unions to become a sponsor and/or donate 1% of their credit or debit card interchange revenue from transactions processed on the First Data Resources Omaha platform for the months they designate from October 2008 through April 2009. Donations will be forwarded to Children's Miracle Network.
Click here to access the online interchange form – donating just takes a minute of your time and the benefits last a lifetime.
- The interchange contribution method is FLEXIBLE and EFFICIENT. Credit unions can choose one or more months in which to participate based on their ability. Enrollment requires simply selecting a few checkboxes on a form and returning the form to PSCU Financial Services. The mechanics for donating a small portion of credit union interchange income are already in place – it’s part of our everyday settlement processing system. This method is also very POWERFUL – 1% per month for all of our 500+ member-owners represents approximately $200,000 per month!
- Individually, many of our credit unions may be limited to donating a modest amount, but the collective weight of 500+ credit unions can be an awesome show of financial strength in this national effort.
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The Role of Credit Unions in the Event
- Other ways for credit unions to participate include volunteering on race day or registering as a runner or being on a race team of three or more, which enables the team to compete for the Credit Union Cup, a trophy that recognizes the credit union team with the fastest average running time.
- In 2008, more than 600 race day volunteers came from credit unions. Any credit union employee or member who has participated in a fundraising event for such a worthwhile cause as a contributor, volunteer or participant, can attest to how the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run builds team spirit among credit unions.
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How Credit Unions Make a Difference in the Cherry Blossom Run
- By joining together the modest contributions of hundreds of credit unions around the country, credit unions will be able to make a sizeable contribution to help millions of sick children obtain medical assistance. With the spirit of generosity that defines Americans, we believe that credit union members nationwide will be proud to contribute to relief efforts every time their credit or debit card is used.
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How Individuals Can Make Donations
Individuals can make contributions directly to the Children’s Miracle Network by visiting the official Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run web site http://www.cherryblossom.org. Click on the “Become an Online Fundraiser” graphic and then the “Make a Direct Donation” link. In addition, individuals can contribute via Credit Union Miracle Day’s web site at www.miracleday.org.
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How Credit Unions Benefit from Participation
- All member credit unions participating in this interchange contribution effort will be recognized by credit union name, address along with the CEO’s name for donations made on behalf of Children's Miracle Network.
- Our plans also include efforts for participating credit unions to gain local recognition for their fund raising efforts.
- Full Credit Union sponsorship provides each credit union with the following:
- 2 race entries
- Invites to all race events
- Use of sponsor logo
- Recognition in all race publications controlled by the credit union group
- Event recognition
- The race provides an ideal forum for credit unions to make a difference in each of their communities. Money raised by credit unions is directed back to the children’s hospitals in the credit union’s local communities. In 2008, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run raised over $1 million for Credit Unions for Kids. While the race is held in Washington, DC, the money raised is distributed based on where the contributions are collected. Funds raised will be used to support the entire network of 170 children’s hospitals in the 46 states where Children’s Miracle Network hospitals are located.
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How the Credit Union Industry Benefits from Participation
- The Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run has the potential to impact not only the lives of sick children in nearly every state of the country, but it also enables our industry to raise awareness about credit unions on Capitol Hill by highlighting the cooperative credit union spirit before a national audience.
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Supporting Credit Unions
- We’ve created a turnkey participation kit that includes an enrollment form, sample statement messaging, web messaging, newsletter copy, posters, and ad slicks credit unions can use to promote the opportunity for cardholders to give back to their community just by using their credit union’s plastic.
- Additional promotional materials are available at www.miracleday.org.
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Contact for Any Questions
Please contact Merry Pateuk, Public Relations Director at 800-932-7728 or mpateuk@pscufs.com if you have any questions regarding this initiative.
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Turnkey Participation Kit
We’ve created a turnkey participation kit that includes an Interchange Donation enrollment form, sample statement messages, web messages, newsletter copy, posters, and ad slicks credit unions can use to promote the opportunity for cardholders to give back to their community just by using their credit union’s plastic.
All member credit unions participating in this fund raising effort will be recognized by credit union name and address, along with the CEO’s name, for donations made to Children's Miracle Network.
Click the links below to access and download these materials.
Downloadable Logos
Instructions for Downloading A Logo
- Right click on the download link.
- Select the Save Target As...option from the pull-down menu that appears.
- Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the logo.
- Click Save and the file will begin to download to the chosen location.
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