Bismarck, ND – North Dakota’s credit unions recently faced off in a friendly “border battle” with Montana’s credit unions to raise money for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. As the two states’ collegiate football teams prepared to clash on the field in the FCS Football Championship, a challenge was issued by Jeff Olson, President/CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association, to his Montana counterpart, Tracie Kenyon.

Fans from both states got the chance to support their team and a good cause, as credit unions from Montana and North Dakota placed “wagers” leading up to the big game: Montana State University (MSU) Bobcats vs North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison on January 8th. All pledged money was donated to each state’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

“No matter the outcome of the football game, our mutual objective was to raise funds for our local CMN Hospitals, which ultimately makes us all winners,” stated Olson. “Plus, we had some good-natured fun in the process and added a little extra excitement leading up to the big game, while continuing to show our support for Sanford Children’s Hospital,” he added.

North Dakota credit unions raised a total of $2,685 for Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, ND, while Montana’s credit unions raised $3.510 for Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena, MT. But that’s not the end of this competition! Because the Bison won the football game, come February, Kenyon will have to wear a NDSU team jersey during the states’ MonDak Roundtable, their annual combined conference, in Las Vegas. Olson says he is very much looking forward to seeing Kenyon in beautiful Bison green and gold!

PHOTO: Jeff Olson, President/CEO of DakCU, with the “big check” made out to Sanford Children’s Hospital.

About Dakota Credit Union Association

The Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) is the professional financial trade association serving 71 credit unions that employ 2,200 individuals in 221 branches. With more than 500,000 members in North and South Dakota, Dakota credit unions have assets exceeding $7.6 billion and are currently providing Dakota consumers with over $5.2 billion in loans while safely housing more than $6.6 billion in savings. In our mission to help credit unions succeed, DakCU plays a key role in growing membership and helping to provide service excellence to members from offices in Bismarck, ND and Sioux Falls, SD. For more information visit our website. 

About Montana’s Credit Unions

Based in Helena, Montana, Montana’s Credit Unions exists to promote and enhance a thriving credit union community. Its various entities support this mission. Montana currently boasts 48 credit unions, with 130 branches in communities across the state. Those credit unions currently serve more than 412,639 Montanans - who are members and owners. www.mcun.coop