December 8, 2010
Cherry Blossom volunteers receive training
Cherry Blossom volunteer coordinator training was held on
November 18 at the National Building Museum in DC. Michelle
Carter, volunteer coordinator, provided an overview of
volunteer opportunities, volunteer registration instructions
and deadlines. Race Director Phil Stewart also updated
everyone on the race and entry process.
The National Building Museum will be the site of the Race Expo which will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011.
A hearty Cherry Blossom welcome to our newest sponsors, Mid-Atlantic FCU in Germantown, Md. and LarsonAllen.
Select your volunteer jobs/locations by January 3, 2011
All race volunteer sponsors should email Michelle Carter with your choice of volunteer jobs/locations and the number of volunteers participating by January 3, 2011. In mid-January, Michelle will send coordinators a web link, user name and password. Use this information to register your volunteers online. All volunteers must be entered into an online database for tracking purpose.
Not sure what your group wants to do? Click here to view possible jobs and locations. You will be taken to a general volunteer sign up page where you can view a list of the jobs available. Hover your mouse over each job to view a description of each job. (Note: Please do not sign up on this page.) There are still plenty of volunteer opportunities available!
Need more information? Contact Michelle Carter at michelle@cherryblossom.org
New fundraising online site a success - early results are in!
Our fundraisers have already been busy! 125 runners and their friends have raised over $15,000, many reaching their $500 goal, on the new online fundraising site, www.cucherryblossomfundraising.org.
Runners, their families and friends, and your members can make donations on behalf of individual runners or teams. A limited number of races entries will be awarded to those who raise $500 through the online fundraising site. This is a great way to bypass the lottery and raise more money for Credit Unions for Kids. Help us reach our online fundraising goal of $200,000.
Need fundraising ideas?
If you need help with fundraising ideas, visit our website at www.cucherryblossomrun.org/fund.html. The web page contains great fundraising ideas including CUs for Kids chocolate candy bars.
Have a competitive spirit? We challenge you to be the top fundraiser! It's always fun to have a little healthy competition among our credit union sponsors. Be sure to keep us informed of your fundraising activities by emailing info@cucherryblossomrun.org
Wisconsin CUs present check to children's hospital
Wisconsin credit unions and affiliated industry
organizations have contributed $56,900 to the state's
Children's Miracle Network hospitals through the Credit
Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run® in Washington D.C. The
most recent contribution of $17,300 — made as part of a
check presentation at the Wisconsin Credit Union League's
office — will benefit Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in
Milwaukee.
"Wisconsin's participation in this national event directly helps children in our communities and highlights the mission of credit unions — 'people helping people'," said Christopher Roe, Senior Vice President, Corporate/Legislative Affairs, CUNA Mutual Group, and a member of the Board of Directors of Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc.
In addition to the contribution to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, state credit unions and affiliated business partners contributed $17,300 to Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse and $22,000 to Ministry St. Joseph's Children's Hospital of Marshfield.
Public race registration by lottery opens
For the second year, the general running public can enter the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run through a lottery system that is open between Dec. 1 and Dec. 10. The results of the lottery will be posted on Dec. 14 on the official race site at www.cherryblossom.org. Once the registration closes, your sponsor guaranteed entries will be in high demand as an estimated 15,000 runners are turned away each year.
Guaranteed race entries due by March 1, 2011
As a sponsor benefit, all credit unions receive 10 guaranteed race entries (at the prevailing price). Distribution is coordinated through me. Credit unions also earn entries for each volunteer sent to the 2010 race. These codes have already been distributed. In the cooperative spirit, any that you do not need will be shared with others who need more.
Race entry codes or printed applications can be obtained online The entries must be used for race registration by March 1, 2011. Use of the electronic entry codes is strongly encouraged. If you have a pressing need for printed entries, please let me know. We are working toward the gradual elimination of paper entries as part of our "Greening Initiative."
Runners donate $2,500 to receive race entries at 'Cherry Blossoms in November' event
Over 300 runners attended the first "Cherry Blossoms in November" at Potomac River Running in Falls Church, Va. Guaranteed race entries were distributed to the first 25 runners making a $100 donation to Children's Miracle Network. The 2011 Cherry Blossom t-shirts were also unveiled at the event.
Meet your dedicated volunteer CUMD Board Members
Congratulations to the following individuals who will serve on the 2011 CUMD Board:
- Juri Valdov, Chairman, Northwest FCU
- Theresa Mann, Vice Chairman, The Partnership FCU
- Jan Roche, Treasurer, State Department FCU
- Rod Staatz, Secretary, SECU of Maryland
- Sarah Canepa Bang, Financial Service Centers Cooperative
- Casey Duplantier, 1st Advantage FCU
- Charlie Mallon, Congressional FCU
- Chris McDonald, Andrews FCU
- Chris Roe, CUNA Mutual Group
- Mike Yatros, PSCU Financial Services
Key race dates
Mark these key dates on your 2011 calendar:
- March 1, 2011 — Race and team entries and volunteer registration due.
- Friday, April 1, 2011 Race Weekend Kick-Off with Special Event and Press Conference at the Children's National Medical Center.
- Saturday, April 2, 2011 — 15,000 runners converge at the Annual Race Expo, held again at the historic National Building Museum, to pick up their packets.
- Sunday, April 3, 2011 — The 39th running of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, starting on the Washington Monument grounds. Easy access via Metro from the Smithsonian Station (Yellow and Blue Lines).
- NEW! 10th Anniversary Awards Luncheon, June 10 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Alexandria, Va.
All race events are in downtown Washington, DC, with convenient, public transit accessibility. The 2011 official race hotel is the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street, NW. If you need a room, call soon as it sells out quickly. There is a special Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run rate of $199.
Please be sure to share these key dates with your organization's volunteers, runners and staff and officials.
Have questions? Visit our website!
Still have questions about the Cherry Blossom Run events? Check out all the resources available at www.cucherryblossomrun.org. View the 2010 race video, marketing materials, fundraising ideas and the 2010 Yearbook.
Happy Holidays!
Sarah Turner
Director, Credit Union Miracle Day, Inc.
