WASHINGTON-Callahan & Associates, Inc., the Washington, D.C.-based credit union consulting firm, became a `champion sponsor' of the Credit Union Miracle Day Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run this year. Contributions of $5,000-plus qualify organizations as `champions,' a category that includes CUNA, NAFCU, the Credit Union Executives Society, CUNA Mutual Group, USERS, and other non-credit union-affiliated organizations. Race proceeds benefit the 170 children's hospitals through the Children's Miracle Network. Since credit unions became the title sponsor of the race, over $600,000 has been raised, with over half of that coming from last year's race, but the goal for 2005 is to raise more than $1 million. "Callahan is proud to become a Champion Sponsor to help raise awareness in the credit union industry about this meaningful charitable event which demonstrates so well the cooperative spirit of the credit union movement and its concern for the larger community," Callahan Vice President for E-Commerce Scott Patterson stated. The firm plans to use its Web site (www.creditunions.com) and 14,000 subscribers to promote the event. The 2005 Cherry Blossom Run is slated for April 3 at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The event is renowned among runners worldwide and draws attention from many federal lawmakers, who sometimes run in the race, as well as a number of congressional staffers. Credit Union Miracle Day is a partnership of more than 85 credit unions and partner organizations from across the country that sponsor the race each year, which is part of D.C.'s annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Last year, more than 4,000 of the 8,500 runners from all over the world were credit union members.