CU leaders present $450,000 to CMN Hospitals at the 2023 Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run. (Photo: NAFCU)
Credit union leaders presented $450,000 to Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals Sunday during the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C. – a credit union movement-sponsored race now in its 50th year.
Photo: NAFCU Of the total donated to CMN Hospitals, over $200,000 was raised by runners and their families and friends. Since becoming the title sponsor of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run 21 years ago, Credit Union Miracle Day (a consortium of over 100 credit unions and credit union partners) has raised more than $10.3 million for CMN Hospitals, a group of 170 children's hospitals in North America.
"We are thrilled to be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of this iconic Washington D.C. event and our 21st year as the title sponsors," Credit Union Miracle Day Chair John Bratsakis said. "It's a perfect example of credit unions working together to make a significant impact in our communities and in the lives of children treated at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The funds raised directly benefit CMN Hospitals in local communities, helping to fund research, treatment and medical equipment."
The weekend race event included the Capitol Hill Competition, in which congressional offices compete for the Congressional Cup award. Sponsored in part by CUNA, NAFCU, Congressional Federal Credit Union ($1.2 billion, Oakton, Va.) and U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union ($1.2 billion, Alexandria, Va.), the competition drew 77 teams and more than 658 Capitol Hill staffer participants; the unofficial winner was Sen. John Tester's (D-Mont.) team, "Last Best Place."
Photo: NAFCU "NAFCU is honored to continue our partnership with this remarkable event that helps children's hospitals across the country receive much-needed resources and support," NAFCU President/CEO B. Dan Berger stated. "The mission behind the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run is a perfect illustration of the dedication and compassion credit unions have for their members and the greater communities they serve. We are inspired by the participating credit unions, runners and volunteers who came together in support of our nation's children."
In the Ten-Mile Run, Tsegay Kidanu of Ethiopia took first place in the men's division, setting a new course record with a time of 46:08. Sarah Chelangat of Uganda was the first-place women's finisher with a time of 52:04, 33 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
