The Helena Brewers baseball season may have ended, but the success of their bating record is contributing to the community. Trico Community Federal Credit Union and CTA Architects Engineers recently teamed up and based a donation to Shodair Childrens Hospital on the number of RBIs made by the Helena Brewers during the 2013 season.
The initial commitment between the two was $1 per RBI but Trico increased their contribution to $5 for each, bringing the total donation to Montanas only Children Miracle Network Hospital to $6 per RBI �for a total of $2,382. The donation will help an effort to fund the recently opened Shodair Family House, an on-site housing facility where families can stay while their child receives treatment.
The Helena financial cooperative and the engineering firm might seem like an odd couple, but actually credit unions around the state have often turned to CTA for design work for new builds or remodels so the relationship is well-rooted.
Zoe Smith with CTA said it was a great opportunity for the Montana-based firm to support a Helena organization that serves children from across the state.
"Partnering for a cause has not been just rewarding for charitable reasons, but also generates spirted fun with a stake in the outcome," Smith said. "Since it involved local athletic talent with the Brewers Team, their success pays forward in a positive way. The RBI rally concept has connected dissimilar businesses to be engaged and collaborate for no other reason than to share giving across the community."
Eddie Black, president of Trico FCU, said it was easy to get excited about the effort because he loves baseball and spent countless evenings at the park in Great Falls with his father.
"Every night there was a baseball game in town we were there, and many times we traveled across Montana to catch games," he said. "The Brewers is our hometown team, has a great fan base, and we are happy to celebrate their season."
Tom Figarelle with Shodair said Montana children and families served by Shodair are incredibly fortunate to have a great family of support from local credit unions with a contribution from CTA.
"This generosity and commitment are a positive boost to childrens health across our state," Figarelle said.
Shodair Childrens Hospital helps families across the state regardless of their ability to pay, and Black said Helena is fortunate to have them in the Queen City.
"Most of the children that come to Shodair come from modest means," Black said. "The new Shodair House will provide their families a place to stay for a small suggested donation and to be more deeply involved with treatment which equates to better outcomes," Black said. "This money will help furnish that home and continue the efforts currently underway through Credit Union for Kids."
