The Northwest credit union community has raised more than$130,000 for Credit Unions for Kids to support six Children'sMiracle Network Hospitals in Oregon and Washington, according tothe Northwest Credit Union Association.

The funds were raised during a “Boardwalk of Miracles” auctionat the NWCUA's Amplify Convention in Portland, Ore., held earlierthis month.

Boardwalk of Miracles auction items that were donated includedgift baskets, vacation getaways, luxury shopping excursions and atravel package to attend spring training baseball games inArizona.

One of the event's most emotional moments occurred when theCU Business Group of Portland, Ore., made the highest bid towin its spring training package and the gave it to ElijahDiggins, a 15-year-old survivor of Burkitt's leukemia, according tothe NWCUA. Diggins served as the patient-spokesman for theauction.

The event's attendees also contributed $49,000 to fill nineRadio Flyer wagons with toys, which will be donated to the six CMNhospitals in the Northwest. The wagons are a longstandingtradition and are considered “happy therapy” for the sick children,the NWCUA said.

What's more, when auctioneer Jill Marie Wiles issued the “Cashfor Kids” call, more than $42,000 was raised, the league said.

This fundraising event began in 1986 when a group of Northwestcredit unions founded Credit Unions for Kids. A decade later, their model was adaptednationally and is now considered the “charity of choice” in thecredit union movement, which provides funding for 170 Children'sMiracle Network Hospitals, the NWCUA said.

“The money raised at the Boardwalk of Miracles will help to fundresearch, build ICU wings for premature babies, and it will help tohire the most brilliant minds in medicine, dedicated to savingchildren's lives,” said NWCUA President/CEO Troy Stang. “We'rehonored to be part of Credit Unions for Kids.”