Livonia, MI (June 25, 2018) – After representatives of Zeal Credit Union attended the 2018 Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) Annual Convention and Expo this month, they returned with a special keepsake for their Livonia headquarters.

It was a signed and framed piece of art made by Jonny Hendricks, an 11 year-old boy receiving treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia at Beaumont Children’s, a member of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. 

The MCUL, a longtime supporter and fundraiser for CMN which helps kids of all ages overcome disease, injuries and illness, invited Hendricks and his family to attend this year’s convention in Traverse City, Mich.

The youth, who was first diagnosed with cancer in 2013, is no stranger to fundraising. He has held multiple fundraisers to give back to different departments within Beaumont, has been interviewed by Hour Magazine and was featured in a commercial for CMN, titled “Dear Cancer.”

According to his mother Samantha Hendricks, Jonny is a very caring, giving and fun loving child who always has a joke to tell. His family has a saying “Tough times don’t last . . . tough kids do!”

Continuing in the tradition of giving, Hendricks talked to convention attendees and brought a signed and framed piece of his artwork for a live auction to benefit CMN.

“Jonny was so inspiring and touched everyone who met him,” said Lisa Fawcett, chief marketing officer for Zeal Credit Union. “When we learned that his art was the first item to be auctioned, we jumped at the opportunity.”

The MCUL agreed to match all donations up to $500, so Zeal made a bid of $500 to enable a donation of $1,000 to CMN.

“Picking a place to display Jonny’s picture was easy,” said Fawcett. “Throughout our headquarters in Livonia, we have signage and art that emphasizes our core values of passion, empathy and character. Knowing Jonny’s story made it even more personal. What a fantastic kid and role model for all of us.”

As Hendricks continues his cancer treatment which is expected to end in 2019, he is assured to have Zeal Credit Union cheering his progress.

Zeal Credit Union is a full-service, non-profit financial institution with more than 61,000 members, assets exceeding $570 million and 13 full-service branch offices in metro Detroit. Members also have access to more than 5,000 shared branches and nearly 30,000 ATMs nationwide. Member deposits are insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency. For more information about Zeal Credit Union, visit the credit union website www.ZealCreditUnion.org or call 800-321-8570.

Photo Caption:  At center, Jonny Hendricks, 11, holds the picture he made and signed for MCUL’s live auction fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network. Joining him, from l. to r., are Dave Adams, MCUL & Affiliates CEO; Angie Krogol, Zeal CU chief member service experience officer; Lisa Fawcett, Zeal CU chief marketing officer; Samantha Hendricks, Jonny’s mother; and Ken Ross, former MCUL president/COO.