The first spade breaks the earth on Wednesday for CUNA's two charity projects in North Carolina and Florida honoring the presidential nominating conventions coming this summer.

The North and South Carolina credit union leagues join CUNA in Charlotte, site of the Democratic gathering that begins Sept. 3, with a groundbreaking ceremony to build playgrounds at the Levine Children's Hospital.  

Meanwhile, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions said it expects to conduct its groundbreaking ceremony April 11 in St. Petersburg to build a similar therapeutic playground at All Children's Hospital in honor of the Republican National Convention in Tampa set for Aug. 27-30.   

“Credit unions in Alabama and Florida as well as across the country are encouraged to contribute to the 'leave behind' project that shows once again that credit unions care about their community and work cooperatively to leave a lasting impression,” LSCU said in a statement. 

Credit unions are being asked to contribute $300,000 to help pay for the two playground projects in Charlotte and St. Petersburg.

CUNA efforts in the two convention cities underscore what the trade group said is its tradition of honoring each national convention city with the “leave behind” project long after the conventions have left town.

Four years ago, CUNA supported the Home for Our Troops campaign in cooperation with a Boston charity to build specially adapted homes for severely injured Iraqi and Afghanistan war veterans.

Joining in the North Carolina ceremony Wednesday will be Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx.

Also providing support funds for the Charlotte hospital are the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation and CUNA Mutual Group.  Partnering with CUNA in the “leave behind” project is the National Journal magazine.