​Enchanted Northwest Auction at NWCUA’s MAXX Convention Raises $1 Million for CU4Kids...

Attendees of the Northwest Credit Union Association’s Enchanted Northwest gala and auction at MAXX Convention Wednesday night, did a long-time fundraising tradition proud. They wore out their arms raising their bidding paddles again and again for Credit Unions for Kids, a now-national charity founded decades ago in the Northwest.

As a result, eight Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in the region will have more funds to support research, medical equipment, and life-saving care for young patients and their families. Bidding on deluxe getaways to wine country inns, world-renowned resorts, and electric cars to be donated to each of the hospitals, contributors raised $1,001,720 – all in a single night. The fundraising total was announced from the MAXX Convention mainstage in Boise Thursday afternoon.

A steer named Karen and a horse named Cat

Bidding was inspired by the event’s “Miracle Child,” Brinley Oldham. Brinley was unable to attend the Enchanted Northwest Gala in person, but video produced by the hospital detailed a horrific day in 2019, when Brinley, then 9, was helping her family brand the herd on their remote Idaho ranch. She was trampled by a cow and suffered life-threatening injuries. Fortunately, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise had opened a pediatric trauma center just 12 days before Brinley’s accident. All of the child-specific medical equipment was in place, and the well-practiced team of healthcare workers was ready. Brinley’s life was saved, and less than a month later, she was back at the ranch.

Idaho Central Credit Union served as Brinley’s sponsoring credit union. In a video conversation with CEO Kent Oram, Brinley shared that the steer she showed at 4-H this year, was named “Karen.” And the horse she has mastered riding? Its name is “Cat.” That exchange brought laughs. Brinley’s career choice also won applause from attendees.

“When I first got out of the hospital, I thought I wanted to be a nurse or doctor, so that I could help other kids like me,” she said. “But now I kind of want to be a vet because this year, we’ve had quite a few animals get hurt, and it just seems cool to watch the process of them healing.”

Healing is what Credit Union for Kids is all about

“The credit unions’ generosity is once again going to make a difference for CMN hospitals as they help families and young patients through the most difficult of times,” said Troy Stang, President and CEO of NWCUA. “We appreciate the hard work of the Enchanted Northwest’s volunteer committee, all of the sponsors, the generous donors for gift packages, and the credit union family for its friendly, but competitive, bidding for the kids.”

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