The 13th annual California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction raised $1.3 million for the eleven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada. This is the fourth consecutive year that the event has raised more than $1 million for these hospitals. 

The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is the largest single fundraising event for Credit Unions for Kids, having raised more than $7 million since 2006 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

The sold-out event, which took place March 9, drew 475 attendees and was supported by 83 credit unions, business partners and hospitals. 

“We continue to set new milestones of support each year for CMN Hospitals in California and Nevada, thanks to the amazing efforts and generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers,” said Erin Mendez, event chairman and president Patelco CU, Pleasanton, Calif. “Actively supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is important to credit unions, and we are very pleased to be helping this great organization and the children they serve in our communities.” 

The event’s theme “La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life),” set the backdrop for an evening that included fine food, dancing, and both silent and live auctions. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 600 packages that included bottles of fine wine, premium whiskeys, travel getaways, and concerts. 

The event’s very special guest was 20-year-old Kevin Irving, a CMN Hospital patient at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. Kevin’s strength and courage inspired attendees as he shared how his journey with sickle cell disease and his experience at the hospital have changed his life. 

Since birth, Kevin has battled sickle cell disease, an inherited condition that afflicts approximately 100,000 people in the U.S., and can cause tremendous pain, chronic anemia, serious infections, and damage to organs. Kevin describes his pain as “feeling like a bear hug from the Incredible Hulk himself, or an overgrown rock inside my body that pushes everything else out of the way.” 

However, Kevin’s battle has given him a high threshold for pain, which allows him to be fearless on his skateboard and BMX bike. These hobbies, coupled with his passion for cars, help take his mind off of his disease. Kevin says, he doesn't allow sickle cell disease to hinder his everyday life or use it as an excuse for being incapable. “Sickle cell isn't a wall for me, but a motivation,” he said. 

The Wine Auction’s vehicle raffle raised over $60,000 for CMN Hospitals, with the winner having the choice of a new car or new Harley Davidson motorcycle, each valued at $25,000, or $25,000 in cash. The raffle was sponsored by CU Direct. 

Pledges totaling $50,000 were made in support of a performance by Joan & Her Jets, starring Joan Opp, CEO of Stanford CU, singing “Daddy’s Hands,” with back-up singers Mendez; Diana Dykstra, CEO of California & Nevada Credit Union Leagues; and Teresa Freeborn, CEO of Xceed Financial CU, El Segundo, Calif.; and arranged by their producer, Wally Murray, CEO of Greater Nevada CU, Carson City, Nev. 

The lead corporate sponsors of this year’s event were CU Direct, the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, CO-OP Financial Services, and CUNA Mutual Group. As the sponsorships, as well as the event’s other sponsors, 100% of the money raised will directly benefit the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada.