CUs help keep Cherry Blossom runners dry

WASHINGTON (4/8/08)—Credit union volunteers, hoping to drive home the message of the credit union difference—people helping people—hit the National Mall by 6 a.m. Sunday to stow the gear of rain-weary runners in the CU Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run.

April showers seemed unable to dampen the enthusiasm of the 12,000 runners at the event, a number which included at least 600 participants representing Capitol Hill.

"The most important thing I think we get out of this annual exercise is showing the people running the race the credit union difference in action," said Pat Keefe, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) vice president of communications and media outreach, who coordinates the volunteer effort for CUNA.

"This is the fifth year or so that we have volunteered to help keep runners' valuables safe – and dry, on this year's cool and rainy day –during the race," said Keefe. "Our intent is to help runners – many of whom are from Capitol Hill – make a connection between credit unions and 'people helping people.'"

Among Keefe's crew of volunteers were CUNA staff and their family members, and helpers from the National Credit Union Foundation, the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, and the Association of Corporate Credit Unions.

Keefe noted that they wore jackets featuring "The Little Guy" and the "Lookoutforthelittleguy.org" website. The intent, Keefe pointed out, was to remind runners (particularly Hill staff) that credit unions really do "look out for the little guy."

Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc. (CUMD), sponsor of the 36th annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run, exceeded its 2008 goal of raising $1 million to benefit Children's Miracle Network and its 170 affiliated children's hospitals nationwide. With this year's donation, CUMC will have contributed a total of $3.6 million to children's hospitals since its inception in 2001.

courtesy of cuna.org