The New Hampshire Credit Unions, including Bellwether, recently presented a $200,000 donation to Make-A-Wish New Hampshire, an organization that grants the wishes of children facing critical illnesses. This marks a 22-year total of more than $2.7 million raised by the New Hampshire Credit Unions, members of the Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA). The New Hampshire Credit Unions remain the largest corporate partner of Make-A-Wish New Hampshire.
The amount raised surpassed the initial 2018 goal by $15,000 and was achieved through the collaboration and collective efforts of the state's 15 credit unions with a series of state-wide and local fundraising initiatives including its Make-A-Wish Calendar Raffle which sold out all 2,500 calendars, Granite State Candy Shoppe candy bar sales, New Hampshire Chapter holiday auction, individual credit union donations, and the capstone event of the fundraising season, the Richard D. Mahoney Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament.
Accepting the check with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire CEO Julie Baron were Wish child Carson, age 6; his dad Chris; and Wish Ambassador Padraic, age 19. "We thank the credit unions for supporting Make-A-Wish and helping families, such as ours, look forward to something special as a family during our darkest times," said Chris.
The presentation took place during the 17th annual tournament held at the Candia Woods Golf Links, Candia, NH. "Make-A-Wish New Hampshire is a remarkable organization and, in some way has touched most all of us in New Hampshire," said Brian Hughes, chairman of CCUA's New Hampshire Social Responsibility Committee and President/CEO, Holy Rosary Credit Union in Rochester. "Credit unions throughout the state are truly proud to support Make-A-Wish and help them fulfill their mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Meeting so many of the kids such as Carson and Padraic and hearing about their wishes, it truly inspires and motivates all of us to see Make-A-Wish New Hampshire grant a wish to every eligible child."
CCUA President/CEO Paul Gentile commended the credit unions for supporting their charitable partner. "The task of raising $200,000 this year for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire combined with the 22-year total of $2.7 million is a true testament to all the credit unions, their employees, corporate donors, and the more than 649,232 credit union members in New Hampshire who worked tirelessly and contributed generously to fundraising initiatives throughout the year - a true collaboration on all fronts." He continued, "The New Hampshire Credit Unions and Social Responsibility Committee's efforts to surpass the goal each year exemplifies the passion they share in making wishes come true."
Make-A-Wish New Hampshire CEO Julie Baron praised the credit unions for their passion. "It seems impossible to capture in a few words the essence of the gratitude Make-A-Wish New Hampshire feels toward the New Hampshire Credit Unions," said Baron. She continued, "Credit union leadership, staff, and members have embraced our mission and transformed the lives of children facing critical illnesses one child at a time for 22-years. We thank them for being the special medicine that helps each child through their journey."
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About Make-A-Wish® New Hampshire
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child’s wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child’s treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish New Hampshire has granted more than 1,500 wishes to New Hampshire children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish New Hampshire serves children throughout the entire state. Eighty-nine percent of each dollar spent directly benefits the New Hampshire wish-granting program. Sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned Make-A-Wish New Hampshire a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. For more information please visit nh.wish.org.
About the Cooperative Credit Union Association
The Cooperative Credit Union Association is a regional trade organization serving as the voice for nearly 200-member credit unions located primarily throughout Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. CCUA members hold combined assets in excess of $45 billion and serve a collective membership base of more than 2.3 million consumers. It’s on behalf of these member credit unions that CCUA advocates before Congress and state legislatures, regulatory bodies and the general public through its Better Values—Better Banking consumer awareness campaign. In addition to advocacy, CCUA also engages its members with an array of industry resources, from compliance assets and marketing support to vetted products and service providers; an array of educational workshops and conferences; and a variety of communication channels that include a daily e-newsletter, live and recorded video programs, and a quarterly magazine focused on CCUA’s advocacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.CCUA.org.