American Heritage FCU Gelatin Olympics raises $20,000

PHILADELPHIA - American Heritage Federal Credit Union President/CEO Bruce Foulke has been paid to take a dive - into 700 gallons of strawberry gelatin. Foulke was joined on the Ultimate Gelatin Slide by 35-40 other executives and corporate sponsors at the Seventh Annual Gelatin Olympics which raised $20,000 for Children's Seashore House Music Therapy Program. "We are quite unique," said Foulke. "I believe we are the only credit union in the nation that has incorporated Kids-N-Hope, our own non-profit organization. And we did it so that we are certain that 100% of the money goes into the music therapy program." The idea for the foundation came to Foulke when he heard on a radio program that a terminally ill child wanted to fulfill his wish of shooting a bear in Alaska. Foulke decided to start his own non-profit foundation that could fulfill a child's dreams in a more positive creative way. The Kids-N-Hope Foundation is dedicated to helping children receive specialized care at the Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. According to Foulke, the Children's Seashore House is the nation's first pediatric hospital dedicated to children with developmental disabilities. It was during a tour of the Seashore House's artistic program that he saw a picture drawn in red ink by a 12 year old paraplegic. When asked what she had drawn, the girl replied that the picture was her heart that was on fire because she couldn't hug her mommy. "After hearing that, I decided that whatever Seashore House needed, the foundation would provide," said Foulke. So American Heritage FCU became the total sponsor of the Seashore House music therapy program which provides physically and emotionally challenged children a means of personal creative expression and pain management. What began as a one time event sponsored by Chi-Chi's restaurant was developed by Kids-N-Hope into an annual event. The event is open to the public and is held at the 94th AreoSquadron restaurant, which has old WWI planes. Once the gigantic tent is erected the games such as a Gelatin Pie Eating Contest, a Gelatin Balloon Toss and of course the Ultimate Gelatin Slide begin. Prizes are also awarded for craziest costume. "Helping the kids is the ultimate goal, and everyone including five other credit unions and our SEGs got involved and participated to do just that," said Foulke. American Heritage FCU has $239 million in assets and serves 62,583 members. -mbourjolly@cutimes.com