FLINT, Mich.–Hurley Children’s Hospital here celebrated its first-place finish in the recent Vote for Miracles campaign by inviting staff, patients and credit union representatives to the hospital for the official check presentation ceremony.

The $50,000 donation, which was awarded on behalf of America’s credit unions and CO-OP Financial Services, will go directly towards the hospitals new Pediatric Private Patient Rooms initiative.  Once the project is completed, Credit Unions for Kids and CO-OP will be recognized with a plaque commemorating the gift, according to Children’s Miracle Network.

“We are so appreciative of all that credit unions have done for Hurley Children’s Hospital over the years,” said Melany Gavulic, president and CEO, Hurley Medical Center.  “We are delighted that we could use Vote for Miracles to not only raise much-needed funds for our hospital but also tell the amazing story of the credit unions’ generosity through the Credit Unions for Kids program.”

Credit union executives participating in the check presentation included Sarah Canepa Bang, executive vice president industry relations, CO-OP Financial Services. 

“CO-OP’s goal [with Vote for Miracles] was to raise awareness of the important work credit unions are doing in their communities,” remarked Canepa Bang.  “During the voting, consumers took the extra time to select more than 2,500 different credit unions as their own.  Clearly we achieved our goal.”   

Joining Canepa Bang for the presentation were Vicki Hawkins, president and CEO at Dort Federal Credit Union, and Cheryl Sclater, public relations manager, ELGA Credit Union.  Both credit unions serve Flint and the mid-Michigan region.

“On behalf of Dort FCU, it was an honor to represent Credit Unions in support of CMN Hospitals and Hurley Children’s where 100% of the generous donation from CO-OP will support the private patient rooms initiative to improve the care of our area children,” said Hawkins.

Added Sclater, “Where there is love, there are miracles. ELGA Credit Union associates and members love our Hurley Children’s Hospital and we are proud to have played a role in helping bring home a $50,000 miracle through the Vote for Miracles campaign.”

Children’s Miracle Network reported that over the course of the 22-day promotion, almost 300,000 votes were cast for 141 CMN Hospitals. In addition, members representing more than 2,500 credit unions cast votes for their favorite hospital.