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Nine year old’s unusual birthday request is shaping up to be what the doctor ordered — 7/21/16
What gift do you get a happy and healthy girl for her ninth birthday? A trip to the American Girl Doll store? A softball glove? Or, perhaps, tickets to an amusement park? The answer is none of the above. At least, that was the case for nine year old Brooklynn Blankenship who celebrated her birthday on June 12 and made an unusual gift request: lots and lots of Play-Doh.
Brooklynn is the daughter of National Employees FCU Manager Charlie Blankenship, and wife Nicki who enjoy seeing their daughter participate in gymnastics, cheerleading, and other typical activities of a nine year-old, so they were surprised when her birthday request was quite atypical. Brooklynn asked that her friends bring unopened Play-Doh to the birthday party, so it could be donated to Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals affiliate WVU Children’s Hospital in Morgantown. “The parents of the children loved it, and so did the kids who attended the party,” Brooklynn’s dad shared. “We have already collected 347 cans of Play-Doh for the patients at WVU Children’s.”
Although money raised from donations is the primary engine that powers the 170 CMN Hospitals, they gladly accept donations like Brooklynn’s. “We are so lucky to have supporters like Brooklynn and National Employees FCU,” said WVU Children’s Hospital representative Ashley Olczak. “Items such as Play-Doh are needed every day at the hospital and clinics. Because of the generosity of Brooklynn and credit unions in the community, we can continue to put smiles on the faces of the kids in our hospital,” Olczak added.
When asked how she heard about CMN Hospitals, Charlie said his daughter was moved by a Credit Unions for Kids flyer she saw with mail that he had brought home from the office. “Brooklyn thought Play-Doh would be a fun activity for kids who can’t get outside and enjoy the summer,” he further explained. “I am so proud that Brooklynn has embraced the Credit Unions for Kids message.
Credit Unions for Kidsis a nonprofit collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues, CUNA, and business partners from across the country, engaged in fundraising activities to benefit 170 CMN Hospitals. Credit unions are the 3rd largest corporate sponsor of CMN Hospitals, raising over $11 million in 2015 and over $150 million since 1996. Locally, the West Virginia Credit Union League and member credit unions have raised tens of thousands of dollars for CMN Hospitals though various fundraising activities over the past twenty years.
One hundred percent of every dollar donated by members of the credit union movement goes back to the CMN Hospital which serves their respective communities. CMN Hospitals provide 32 million patient visits for 10 million children every year. In fact, one in ten children in North America is treated at a CMN Hospital annually.
“Brooklynn’s donation was an unselfish gesture which reminds all of us that it’s the small things in life that can make a big difference to others,” commented the West Virginia League’s Rich Schaffer. “I’m certain it will make a difference in the lives of the children at WVU Children’s Hospital.”
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