Chain of Hearts campaign to benefit Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare

January 5, 2012 - The holidays might be over, but giving never goes out of season! SouthPoint Federal Credit Union has kicked off its Chain of Hearts campaign. The campaign - an annual fundraiser organized by the Minnesota Credit Unions for Kids program to benefit Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare - encourages members, community residents and area businesses to contribute by purchasing paper links. During the campaign, which runs from Jan. 9-Feb. 24, hearts and links are personalized and added to the chain. Links are $1, Hearts are $5 and anything above that will be added to our "Wall of Fame".

"This is a simple fundraiser that inspires members to give because they're helping children in our community," said Dick Nesvold, CEO. "The specialized services at Gillette are a benefit to children locally, so the Chain of Hearts campaign directly contributes to programs that help kids here."

Chain of Hearts is part of a statewide fundraising effort. Through this fundraiser, Credit Unions for Kids - a sponsor program of the Children's Miracle Network - Minnesota credit unions raised more than $38,000 for Gillette in 2011.

"The Credit Unions for Kids program really complements our philosophy of ‘people helping people,' and we want to ensure that resources like Gillette are available for families in our community," said Dick Nesvold.

Credit Unions for Kids is a collaboration of credit unions, chapters, leagues and business partners engaged in fundraising activities to benefit Children's Miracle Network-affiliated hospitals. All money raised through Minnesota's Credit Unions for Kids program supports Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, helping kids with disabilities and chronic conditions. Gillette is based in St. Paul, with clinics located in Minnetonka, New Brighton and Duluth. Gillette's North Clinics and outreach efforts bring physician and technology services to communities including Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, Moose Lake and Virginia.

Since 1897, Gillette has been on the forefront of medical treatment, education and research for children with disabilities. Gillette's mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence, well-being and enjoyment in life.