First Tech Federal Credit Union Raises more than $1.6 million to Support Children’s Hospitals

First Tech joined forces with credit unions and industry partners to support medical research and care for children and families in need

Celebrating the overall success of this year’s CU4Kids fundraising effort, which raised more than $1.6 million as fundraising continued after the Northwest Classic event, are: First row: Sheelagh Bandettini, Sr. Director Communications & Community Engagement, Caitlin Scarpelli, Community Engagement, First Tech; First Tech; Monique Little, Chief People and Admin Officer, First Tech; Greg Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer; Meghan Valley, Sr. Mgr. Community Engagement, First Tech; Lynette Yasuda, Assistant Director of Development, OHSU Doernbecher; Michelle Tafoya, Senior Director of Development, UC Davis Second row: Emily Zeitman, Community Engagement Mgr. II; Marito Domingo, Chief Financial Officer, First Tech; Catie Ellis, Community Engagement Mgr. II, First Tech; Tony Hazarian, Executive Director of Development, UC Davis; Kacie Merrick, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships, Children's Colorado Third row: Nick Coleman, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Children’s Miracle Network; Anthony Candito, Director of Corporate Partnerships, UCSF Benioff Oakland (Photo: Business Wire)

SAN JOSE, Calif. & HILLSBORO, Ore.--()--Always eager to "chip" in, First Tech Federal Credit Union—the nation’s eighth largest credit union—together with First Tech employees and members, business leaders and credit unions from across the region raised more than $1.6 million dollars as part of the annual Credit Unions for Kids fundraising campaign, benefiting children and families served at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Founded by First Tech 22 years ago, the Credit Union for Kids Northwest Classic tournament has become one of the largest credit union-sponsored events supporting Credit Unions for Kids in the nation and has raised over $12.2 million since inception. This year’s fundraising campaign championed a hearty return from the pandemic, surpassing its original goal of $1 million, with all proceeds going toward six regional children’s hospitals across California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.

“Actions speak louder than words. The Credit Unions for Kids campaign embodies the value we place on supporting our community and reflects the guiding principle of our people helping people,” said Greg Mitchell, First Tech Federal Credit Union President and CEO. “Our team is inspired by the unwavering commitment and generosity of our credit union partners, business sponsors and tournament guests to protect the health of future leaders.”

You can watch highlights of the event’s meaningful engagements here.

Gautam Josse, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion, who spoke during the Northwest Classic event, reminded attendees that children in hospitals are just like everyone else, and when provided with the skillful, innovative care they need, these children grow up with healthy, bright futures.

First Tech’s Children’s Miracle Network hospital partners are renowned for their cutting-edge medical research, innovative therapies and treatments, and world-class care for children. Beneficiaries include:

  • Children’s Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colorado)
  • OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (Portland, Oregon)
  • PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend (Eugene, Oregon)
  • Seattle Children’s Hospital (Seattle, Washington)
  • UC Davis Children’s Hospital (Sacramento, California)
  • UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital (Oakland, California)

“The NW Golf Classic has been an exceptional event for many years, and once again proved that again in 2022. We are proud to continue our partnership with First Tech FCU to raise critical funds for six of our member hospitals. On behalf of our entire organization, I offer a huge thank you to Greg Mitchell, his First Tech team, and the many sponsors who made this event one of the highest fundraising CU4Kids initiatives,” said Julie Breckenkamp, Vice President of National Strategic Partnerships at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The success of this year’s campaign was made possible through the participation and support of many organizations, including Mastercard, Splash Financial, CO-OP Financial Solutions, Fiserv, CUNA Mutual, ORIGENCE, Raymond James, PSCU, Visa, Grant Thornton, The Standard, PEGA and more than 20 credit unions.

For more information on First Tech’s community focus and support of Credit Unions for Kids, visit https://www.firsttechfed.com/discover/community-commitment

ABOUT FIRST TECH FEDERAL CREDIT UNION’S COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

First Tech Federal Credit Union is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders, thinkers and innovators. In 2021, First Tech provided over $2.5 million in charitable giving to 120 organizations and more than 81% of employees participated in community engagement; directing dollars and time to nonprofit partners who provide programs and services to children and families in need. First Tech’s philanthropic focus areas include support for education (STEM, early childhood literacy, financial education and scholarships), research (Credit Union for Kids and Supportive Health Service) and innovation (food, safety and shelter). Visit www.firsttechfed.com/community to learn more about the ways First Tech pays it forward throughout the year.

ABOUT CREDIT UNIONS FOR KIDS AND CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS®

Credit Unions for Kids is a nonprofit collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues/associations and business partners from across the country, engaged in fundraising activities to benefit 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Adopted as the CU4Kids movement’s charity of choice, credit unions are the 5th largest sponsor of CMN Hospitals. Since 2006, CU4Kids has raised more than $165 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $7 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Change Kids Health to Change the Future, at childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/ and facebook.com/cmnhospitals/.

ABOUT FIRST TECH FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

First Tech Federal Credit Union is a $15+ billion institution headquartered in San Jose, California. It is the nation’s premier credit union serving the world’s leading technology-oriented companies and their employees, including HP Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Microsoft, Agilent, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Nike, Intuit, Google, and more. First Tech is recognized as the industry catalyst for delivering effortless banking experiences to more than 680,000 members through its 33 branch locations, more than 5,600 CO-OP Shared Branch locations, 30,000 CO-OP Network ATMs, and online platforms. First Tech offers a full range of financial services, including traditional banking, online banking, mortgages, financial.

Contacts

Joel Gunderson
The Hoffman Agency
971-275-5981
firsttech@hoffman.com

Contacts

Joel Gunderson
The Hoffman Agency
971-275-5981
firsttech@hoffman.com