Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) holds up one of the official race T-shirts. "The congressional community has come together in record-breaking numbers this year to participate in the Cherry Blossom race run for children's health and seeing my town come together for this cause is heartwarming," she said.
The annual Credit Union Cherry Blossom Run for the Children’s Miracle Network is coming up Sunday, and on Thursday, participants in the Capitol Hill Competition part of the 10-mile run were able to pick up their race packets. There also was a press conference where four of the record 185 congressmen who signed as honorary co-chairs attended to help raise awareness of the run’s work to help hospitalized children.
About 15,000 runners are expected to participate, including 950 congressional staffers. The Capitol Hill Competition is co-sponsored by Congressional Federal Credit Union.
This year, a total of $515,000 was pledged nationwide to donate to member hospitals.
"The congressional community has outdone themselves this year with record-breaking participation to help children in the networked hospitals across the nation," said Charles Mallon Jr., president/CEO of the $705 million Congressional Federal.
"I'm honored to play a small part in raising awareness and funds for children's hospitals. As a parent, I've been blessed with three healthy children, and that's something I don't take for granted," said Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), who is running in the race this weekend.
“As the grandfather of a young man born a preemie, I know full well the difference quality care makes in young people’s lives,” said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. “My grandson had three surgeries before his first birthday. Today, he’s a strong young man. So let me thank you for all that you do for hospitalized children.”
Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) expresses his support for the Children's Miracle Network and the credit union industry effort to support the nationwide charity.
Volunteer staffers ready the race packets, including maps and shirts,
to distribute to congressional staff members running in Saturday's race.
Also on display was a big check, representing the $515,000 the annual effort raised this year for Children's Miracle Network hospitals nationwide.
From left, Reps. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) with Patricia Jasper Zellner, senior associate director of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Charles Mallon Jr., president/CEO of Congressional Federal Credit Union.
