Credit union volunteers took steps toward completing the "leave behind" project in Cleveland Monday, planting and working on glass mosaic tiles as part of a renovation of a horticultural therapy suite at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Childrens Hospital. Cleveland will host the Republican National Convention July 18-21, and this project is part of credit unions tradition of working on a project that is "left behind" for the cities hosting national conventions.
"This is a great opportunity to create an enduring example of how credit unions impact the lives of their members and their communities. With the help and support of many across the credit union movement, Im proud that Ohios credit unions will sprout a therapy retreat for the children throughout Ohio cared for at UH Rainbow Babies & Childrens Hospital," said Paul Mercer, president/CEO of the Ohio Credit Union League (OCUL).
Roughly 120 volunteers, including staff from CUNA, local credit unions, RealClearPolitics and the Republican National Convention participated in Mondays activities. OCUL is spearheading fundraising by the credit unions, which have already raised more than their target goal of $300,000, the amount needed to cover the costs of the project.
Construction on the garden kicked off in March.
Credit unions broke ground last week on the leave-behind project in Philadelphia, site of the Democratic National Convention. The project is a health and wellness garden at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphias Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pediatric Care Center.
The Philadelphia project has a planting day scheduled for June 8, where volunteers will plant more than 1,500 square feet of fruits and vegetables.
