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| Credit union staff from North & South Carolina gathered at Levine Children's Hospital for the dedication of the newly-renovated rooftop garden. Credit unions in the two Carolinas and throughout the country combined forces to raise $300,000 for the project. |
North Carolina and South Carolina credit unions gathered at Levine Children’s Hospital on September 5 to participate in a rooftop playground ribbon cutting ceremony. The ribbon cutting ceremony was the culmination of months of fundraising efforts by credit unions to offer a meaningful leave behind project to celebrate the Democratic Convention in North Carolina. The Convention provided the League and credit unions with an incredible opportunity to connect with some of the most politically active people in North Carolina by hosting a reception the same day of the Levine event.
As part of the Republican National Convention, credit unions also held a reception and dedicated a similar leave-behind project at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“The Levine ribbon cutting event was a very special day for credit unions, the League and CUNA, as we saw our dream of providing a special place for children staying at the hospital to play and families to relax as they face health challenges,” said John Radebaugh, NCCUL President/CEO.
Bill Cheney, CUNA President/CEO and Ron Fournier, Editor-in-Chief, National Journal Group, hosted the ceremony. Congressman Jim Clyburn was the guest speaker. Congressman Clyburn has a long history with credit unions, adding to the specialness of the day by having such a great friend to help us celebrate the opening of the space.
Since no playground is complete without experiencing the laughter of children enjoying it, Levine invited some very special visitors to help with the celebration. Several children staying at the hospital joined the festivities and had the opportunity to provide their own unique leave-behind by leaving their handprints on the stone wall in the garden area of the playground.
“Experiencing the joy and excitement from these brave little children was the true highlight of the day and underscored what this project was all about,” explained Radebaugh. “I’m so very proud of the efforts of everyone involved in helping to make this project a reality for some very deserving children.”