Annual CU4Kids Wine Auction Raises a Record Breaking $1.85 Million For Children’s Health

The Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction broke a fundraising record with $1.85 million raised for the eleven Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada at their 19th annual event held on March 15, 2024.

The black-tie event, “Joie De Vivre, a Seaside Soiree” meaning “Joy of Life” rallied more than 500 attendees at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Resort in Dana Point, California, supported by 64 credit unions, business partners, and hospitals to support Children’s Miracle Network. Attendees gathered for a spectacular evening of exquisite cuisine, dancing, and silent and live auctions featuring over 400 donated packages of fine wine, spirits, and travel getaways. The California and Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction is the largest single fundraising event for Credit Unions for Kids, grossing more than $16 million since 2006.

“We are thrilled with the exceptional generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. They have made our annual Credit Unions for Kids auction a huge success by raising more than $1 million for the tenth straight year,” said Ana Fonseca, co-chair of this year’s event and president and CEO of Logix Federal Credit Union. “This event continues to be a night of hope as we support such an important organization.”

Mark Meyer, the president and CEO of Filene Research Institute and co-chair for this year’s event, expressed his admiration for the credit union community. “Each year, we unite with a shared purpose – to support CMN Hospitals in their mission to help children and families facing challenges. Their commitment to this vital cause is truly commendable, and Filene is proud to be a part of it.”

This years special guest was 12-year-old miracle child Melody Piña, born with a rare congenital condition called Amniotic Band Syndrome, also known as Constriction Ring Syndrome. With this condition, string like fibrous bands of the amniotic sac tissue were tangled around Melody in utero, and she was born missing some of her fingers and toes.

An executive committee directs the Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction, with the committee’s CEOs representing the benefiting hospital(s) in their area:

• Ana Fonseca, Logix FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
• Bill Birnie, Frontwave Credit Union (Rady Children’s Hospital)
• Bill Cheney, SchoolsFirst FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange
  County, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Rady Children’s Hospital)
• Brett Martinez, Redwood CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
• Carrie Birkhofer, Bay FCU (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System)
• Chuck Fagan, PSCU & Co-op Solutions
• Darren Williams, Wescom CU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, CHOC Children’s)
• Diana Dykstra, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
• Elizabeth Dooley, Educational Employees CU (Valley Children’s Healthcare System)
• Erin Mendez, Patelco CU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
• Geri LaChance, SESLOC FCU (Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
• Joan Opp, Stanford FCU (UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland)
• John Cassidy, Sierra Central CU (retired) (UC Davis Children’s Hospital)
• Keith Sultemeier, Kinecta FCU (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange
  County; Cottage Children’s Medical Center)
• Kathy Jumper, Orange County’s CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County)
• Mark Meyer, Filene Research Institute
• Matt Kershaw, Clark County CU (St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Renown Children’s Hospital)
• Nader Moghaddam, Financial Partners CU (Children’s Hospital of Orange County; Children’s
  Hospital Los Angeles, Rady Children’s Hospital)
• Nicholas Ambrosini, Valley Strong CU (Lauren Small Children’s Center at Memorial Hospital)
• Teresa Freeborn, Kinecta FCU (retired) (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
• Terrance Williams, TruStage
• Tony Boutelle, Origence

As a result of the efforts and contributions of each of these organizations, as well as the event’s other sponsors, 100% of the donations received directly benefit the 11 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in California and Nevada including UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.