National Exposure
Through four sister runs‚ credit unions and our business partners have an opportunity unlike any other to make a difference in our communities and to showcase the credit union difference nationally and on Capitol Hill.When you become a sponsor you make an immediate difference in the life of a sick child and their family. But you also help raise awareness of the good works that credit unions and our business partners do for their communities.
“Credit unions which participate in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run – whether fielding a team of runners, raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, volunteering on race day or taking action in whatever projects they tackle to support the event – exemplify the true credit union spirit in giving back to their communities. We urge credit unions to continue to support and participate in the Cherry Blossom Run each year as a true sign of credit union support of their members and their communities.” — Bill Cheney, CUNA President and CEO
“This year’s race was particularly special to credit unions, having marked both 10 years of sponsorship and more than $5 million raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Community outreach and service have always been an important part of credit unions’ mission. We are privileged to support this important cause as well as showcase the unique characteristics and benefits of credit union membership on a national stage.” — Fred Becker, NAFCU President and CEO
Capitol Hill Competition — Our flagship event, the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, D.C., certainly gets the attention of our nations politicians and lawmakers. but it also goes one step further: what better way to deliver the credit union difference than the fleet-footed runners of Capitol Hill? 676 Capitol Hill staffers participated in the 2011 race alongside over 7,000 credit union members. Truly, this is advocacy in action!
The Capitol Hill Competition, instituted in 2002, is for Members of Congress and their staff who compete against each other within the broader Cherry Blossom race. It is sponsored by the Congressional Federal Credit Union and the United States Senate Federal Credit Union, with support from the Credit Union National Association and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
This year, over 160 members of Congress volunteered to serve as Honorary Race Chairs. Additionally, 352 House staff and 324 Senate staff participated in the race. The total of 676 combined staff reflects the largest level of participation ever for this annual event.
“We are proud to co-sponsor this event and receive such extraordinary support from Congress to help hospitalized children,” said Charlie Mallon, Jr., President/CEO of Congressional Federal Credit Union and a member of the Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. Board.
Sen. Richard G. Lugar’s office (Indiana) produced the winning team from the Senate side this year in the Capitol Hill Competition. An avid runner himself, Sen. Lugar has been an Honorary Race Chair of the race since 2002. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Oregon) became an Honorary Chair this year, and his office took the winner’s title on the House side.